lessons learned mainstreaming disability into drm indonesia-philippines

7/21/2019 Lessons Learned Mainstreaming Disability into DRM Indonesia-Philippines

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Author: Novina SUPROBO

Contributions:, Camilla REYES PANTE, Marie CHICHE, Catherine VASSEUR, Handicap International -

Philippines Program team and partners, Yohanis PAKERENG, Mathieu DEWERSE, Catherine GILLET,

Handicap International - Indonesia Program team and partners

Contacts:

- HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL – The Philippines Program

12F Valero Tower, 122 Valero St. Salcedo Village, Makati City,

Metro Manila, PHILIPPINES

Tel: +63 (2) 812 6990 or +63 (2) 519 3341

Fax: +63 (2) 892 4583

www.handicapinternational.phwww.handicap-international.org

- HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL - Indonesia Program

Jl. Prawirotaman 3 no 669A

Yogyakarta 55153, INDONESIA

Tel: +62 (0) 274 376 107 or (0) 274 382 262

Fax: +62 (0) 274 545 941

Printed in Indonesia and in the Philippines – 2011

This facilitator guide has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Commission

Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection – ECHO and the Spanish Agency for

International Development Cooperation – AECID under the project “Mainstreaming Disability in

Disaster Risk Management Initiatives in Indonesia and Philippines.”

The views expressed herein should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of theEuropean Commission.



Lessons Learned

From the project

Mainstreaming Disability into Disaster Risk

Management Initiatives in Indonesia and thePhilippines

Adapted by Novina SUPROBO

Lessons Learned facilitator

Handicap International – Indonesia and Philippines Programs July 2011



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TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................ 2

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 4

SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................................... 4

SECTION I: UNDERSTANDING THE CONTEXT ..................................................................................... 5

1.1 Disability and Disaster ................................................................................................................5

1.2 Disability and disaster in Indonesia and the Philippines ............................................................6

1.3 Legislation and policy framework ..............................................................................................8

1.4 Handicap International approach to promoting disability-inclusive DRM ...............................10

1.5 Presentation of the project ......................................................................................................11

SECTION II: METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................ 18

2.1 Objective of the Lessons Learned Exercise ..............................................................................18

2.2 The Intended Readers ..............................................................................................................182.3 Process and Tools .....................................................................................................................19

SECTION III: LESSONS LEARNED ....................................................................................................... 21

3.1 Community level ......................................................................................................................21

3.2 DRM practitioners ....................................................................................................................32

3.3 Policy makers ............................................................................................................................47

Section IV: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................................................. 55

SECTION V: CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................. 57

Section VI: GLOSSARY ....................................................................................................................... 58



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LIST OF ACRONYMS

ACF Action Contre la Faim

BAPPEDA Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Daerah / Local Development Planning Agency

BNPB Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana / National Agency for Disaster Management

BPBD Badan penaggulangan Bencana Daerah/Local Agency for Disaster ManagementBDRRMC Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council

BDRMT Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Training

CBO Community-based organization

CIS Timor Center for Internal Displaced People’s Services Timor / Perkumpulan Relawan

CRPD Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

DRM Disaster risk management

DRR Disaster risk reduction

CSO Civil society organization

DinSos Dinas Sosial/Social Welfare

DPO Disabled People’s Organization

DPRD local/district legislativeDOH Department of Health

DRR Disaster risk reduction

DSWD Department of Social Welfare and Development

ECHO European Commission Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection

EWS Early Warning System

HFA-DRR Hyogo Framework for Action for Disaster Risk Reduction

HVCA Hazards, Vulnerabilities and Capacities Assessment

IEC Information-Education-Communication

LGU Local Government Unit

MHO Municipal Health Office

MOU Memorandum of UnderstandingMDRRM Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

NCDA National Council on Disability Affairs

NGO Non Governmental Organization

NTT Nusa Tenggara Timur

OISCA Organization for Industrial Spiritual and Culture Advancement

PDRRMC Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council

PDRRMO Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office

PHVCA Participatory Hazard Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment

SKPD Satuan Kerja Perangkat Daerah / Local Government Working Unit

SRE Search, Rescue, and Evacuation

TAGANA Voluntary Disaster CorpsTOT Training of Trainers

UNISDR United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction



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INTRODUCTION

Handicap International is an independent and impartial international aid organization working in

situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Together with persons with disabilities and

other groups in situations of vulnerability, Handicap International’s action and testimony are focused

on supporting them to improve their living conditions, responding to their essential needs andpromoting respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

With a network of eight national associations (USA, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg,

Switzerland, and UK), Handicap International, founded in 1982 and co-recipient of the Nobel Peace

prize in 1997, has programs in more than 60 countries and acts in both emergency and development

situations.

Handicap International has initiated a project on “Mainstreaming Disability in Disaster Risk

Management (DRM) Initiatives in Indonesia and Philippines”. The project has been implemented in

Indonesia and the Philippines since June 2010 and is scheduled to conclude its activities in October

2011. This project has been conducted in partnership with stakeholders working in Disaster RiskReduction.

After several interventions in South Asia and Central America, it is the first time that Handicap

International introduces disability mainstreaming in DRM in the context of South East Asia. This

intervention capitalizes on the design, tools and lessons learned of previous projects, and the

opportunities and challenges identified during implementation will set the blueprint for future

replication in the region.

With this publication, Handicap International aims to share practices and tools developed in

mainstreaming disability in DRM initiatives in Indonesia and the Philippines. It can be equally used by

disabled people’s organizations (DPO), government offices and representatives, local, national andinternational organizations and cooperation agencies.

Handicap International’s goal is to contribute to a development practice whereby persons with

disabilities have equal access to DRM initiatives, thus exercising their fundamental rights and

potential. Lessons learned were identified and selected with a potential for replication or adaptation

by other actors, either as a full approach, or with a focus on a specific component. Although

developed in the contexts of Philippines and Indonesia, this methodology is replicable if adapted to

other contexts.

This document was developed to accompany a training manual for DRM stakeholders, which provides

practical tools and modules on how to implement disability-inclusive DRM. Both documents can serveas resources for DRM stakeholders aiming at mainstreaming disability in their initiatives.



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SUMMARY

Persons with disabilities are particularly vulnerable when disaster strikes as they tend to be invisible.

Along with women and children, they account for a significant percentage of the people injured or

killed during a catastrophe. The specific needs of persons with disabilities, coupled with the barriers

linked to the environment, information and communication, make it extremely difficult for them toaccess disaster risk management (DRM) initiatives. It is also acknowledged that disasters such as

tsunamis, earthquakes, floods and volcanic eruptions do not only create impairment, but further

marginalize and exclude persons with disabilities.

While persons with disabilities have the same rights as the rest of the population, and specific needs,

they also have abilities and responsibilities. Disability-inclusive disaster risk management (DRM)

focuses on addressing the rights and needs of persons with disabilities and ensuring that they become

active actors in DRM.

Handicap International’s project on “Mainstreaming disability into disaster risk management in

Indonesia and the Philippines”, aimed at reducing the vulnerability of persons with disabilities tonatural hazards by enhancing their participation and inclusion in Disaster Risk Management activities.

It also intended to increase the capacities of key DRM stakeholders of Philippines and Indonesia (local

authorities, local NGO and International NGO) in mainstreaming disability in their activities through

capacity building of stakeholders, raising awareness, and empowerment of persons with disabilities.

This project was funded under the 7th DIPECHO South East Asia Action Plan by the European

Commission Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) and in the Philippines, co-funded by

Agencia Española de Cooperación International para el Desarollo,

This document has been developed to compile lessons learned during the mainstreaming of disability

into disaster risk management (DRM) initiatives, through programs implemented in Indonesia and

Philippines by Handicap International.

The lessons learned presented are intended for community, Disaster Management (DM) and Disaster

Risk Reduction (DRR) practitioners, development professionals, as well as government agencies. It is a

reference on the experiences in Indonesia and Philippines fostering the mainstreaming disability into

DRM initiatives. Prepared during the final implementation of mainstreaming disability into DRM, this

document highlights operational and strategic lessons learned during the project’s implementation.

Lessons learned were identified through the development of case studies highlighting important steps

of the project, a review of all available documentation, including project reports, proposal and

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with project partners; notes of workshops, trainings and

meetings; as well as interviews with key stakeholders.

The findings noted in this document are therefore intended to influence not only Handicap

International’s future implementation of mainstreaming disability into DRM initiatives, but support its

advocacy among other humanitarian actors and the government for effective advocacy and disability-

inclusive DRM.



Lessons Learned Mainstreaming Disability into Disaster Risk Management Initiatives in Indonesia and Philippines

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SECTION I: UNDERSTANDING THE CONTEXT

1.1 Disability and Disaster

According to the international Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), “Disability

results from the interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental

barriers that hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others”.

In this context: Impairment is a physical, intellectual, mental or sensory characteristic or condition that places

limitations on an individual’s personal or social functioning in comparison with someone who

does not have that characteristic or condition. Impairment is related to the individuals and

how they function, and may be caused by accidents, poverty (malnutrition, poor sanitation),

conflict, mines/explosive remnants of war, etc.

Attitudinal and environmental factors refer to external elements (social, political, economic

and physical) that can act as barriers or facilitators for persons with impairments to fully

participate in society. Barriers include: infrastructure that cannot be accessed by persons

using wheelchairs; services where there is no means to communicate with persons with visual

or hearing impairments; prejudices and discrimination from service providers against persons

with disabilities, etc.

Thus, disability is not considered a fixed state but rather a situation that is subject to change.

Disability may be reduced by developing devices to address impairments, developing the capacities

of persons with disabilities, reducing and removing attitudinal barriers and discrimination, and

adapting the environment so everyone can participate on an equal basis.

According to WHO (World Report on Disability, 2011), persons with disabilities make up around 15%

of any population. They are also among the most vulnerable of vulnerable groups in society and are

especially at risk when disasters strike. In disaster situations, persons with disabilities have the same

needs as others, but may also have specific needs that should be considered due to their impairments

and individual circumstances, increasing their vulnerability. In an emergency situation, they are oftenexcluded. Some because they do not know or understand the disaster, others because they cannot

IN THIS SECTION, YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT:

1.1 Disability and disaster

1.2 Disability and disaster in Indonesia and the Philippines

1.3 Legislation and policy framework

1.4 Handicap International approach to mainstreaming disability in DRM

1.5 Presentation of the project




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easily get around – especially when the landscape changes following a disaster and they may have lost

their mobility devices. Persons with disabilities are often deprived from search and rescue services,

relief supplies and safe, accessible shelter and services.

Generally, persons with disabilities are often overlooked and their resilience and capacities go

unappreciated. Therefore, it is extremely important that persons with disabilities are included and

‘have a voice’ in all aspects of DRM to ensure that their needs and capacities are understood and

included appropriately in disaster planning and response.

Disability is a cross-cutting issue that can affect anyone - children, adults and older persons

including men and women living in rural or urban setting and across all socio-economic situations of

the society.

Disability is not simply a health concern; it cuts across all sectors, including social welfare, education,

health, employment and income generation, accessibility related to transport, infrastructure,

buildings, as well as water and sanitation. As such, disability-inclusion is both a right and a need. And,

the rights and needs of persons with disabilities have to be considered before, during and after a

disaster.

There are a range of international conventions and national laws that provide formal direction for

disability in development and disaster management. All persons affected by disaster have a right to

live with dignity and therefore, a right to protection and assistance. This is reflected in the

International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Humanitarian Charter

and the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non

Government Organizations (NGO) in Disaster Relief (Sphere, 2011).

DRM concerns the whole community. This means vulnerable groups including persons with disabilities

need to be included. Indeed, the inclusion of persons with disabilities is a fundamental right – just as it

is for all community members.

1.2 Disability and disaster in Indonesia and the Philippines

INDONESIA

Disability

According to United Nations, approximately 20 million persons with disabilities were living in

Indonesia in 2000. This number represents less than 10% of the total Indonesian population (2000

census). Despite the national surveys conducted by the Bureau of Statistics and Susenas, the

Department of Social Affairs estimated that approximately six million persons are disabled or 3.11% ofthe total population in Indonesia. These numbers are far below the WHO estimate that 15% of any

population is composed of persons with disabilities.

In Indonesia, Law number 4/1997 on Persons with Disabilities classifies types of disabilities into:

Physical disabilities, which are caused by physical function disorder especially movement organs,

vision, hearing and speech.

Mental disability, which are mental and/or behavioral disturbance whether it was obtained since

birth or caused by diseases.

Mental and physical disabilities, a person with two types of disabilities (physical and mental).




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Disaster

Indonesia is situated in one of the most active disaster areas where several types of disasters such as

earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides, droughts and forest fires frequently

occur. According to a Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction 2009, Indonesia is among

the top 35 countries that have high mortality risks from multiple hazards with about 40 percent of the

population at risk. For a country that has more than 230 million people, this percentage gives a very

large nominal number of more than 90 million people potentially at risk.

The data of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) shows that

based on the exposure of the population in fatal areas prone to disasters, Indonesia has very high

risks. As regards to tsunami, Indonesia is ranked first out of 265 countries worldwide, with 5,402,239

people who may be affected. For landslides, Indonesia is also ranked number one out of 162 countries

with 197,372 people affected. For earthquakes Indonesia is ranked third among 153 countries with

11,056,806 people affected. For floods, Indonesia ranked sixth of 162 countries with 1,101,507 people

affected

Major disasters in Indonesia within the last 5 years:

Earthquake and tsunami that devastated Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and North Sumatra

Province, 2004: 165,708 dead, and 4.45 trillion Indonesian Rupiahs loss of assets;

Earthquake in Jogjakarta and Central Java Province, 2006: 5,667 dead, 156,662 houses damaged,

and IDR 3.134 trillion loss of assets;

Earthquake and tsunami in West Java Province, 2006: 658 dead, and IDR 137.8 billion loss of

assets;

Floods in Jakarta Special Capital Province, 2007: 145,774 houses flooded and created IDR 967

billion losses of assets.

THE PHILIPPINES

Disability

Based on the 2000 Census of Population and Housing results in the Philippines, the proportion of

persons with disabilities in the Philippines was registered at 1.23%, which means a total of 942,098

Filipinos. This ratio is far below the estimated rate of United Nations numbering approximately 6.8

million Filipinos who have some form of physical, sensory or mental disability.

The registration system - established by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), in

collaboration with local governments, the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Social

Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other organizations - is suffering from many constraints such

as the lack of information about registrations, no access to public offices, unclear responsibilities of

stakeholders and lack of means. In addition, at local levels, persons with disabilities do not have

representative organizations that may assist them on matters such as registration for benefits.Reliable data would be the first important step towards better inclusion of persons with disabilities

into the development of the country.

In the Philippines, Section 4c of Republic Act 7277 (An Act Providing for the Rehabilitation, Self-

Development and Self-Reliance of Disabled Person and their Integration into the Mainstream of

Society and for Other Purposes) defines disability as “(1) a physical or mental impairment that

substantially limits one or more psychological, physiological or anatomical function of an individual or

activities of such individual; (2) a record of such an impairment, or; (3) being regarded as having such

an impairment.” Section 4a of the same law defines persons with disabilities as “those suffering from

restriction of different abilities, as a result of a mental, physical or sensory impairment, to perform an

activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being.”




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A Philippine Plan of Action for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons 2003-2012, developed

by the Philippines government, contains national priorities directed towards the maximization of

opportunities available to persons with disabilities in all aspects of life in the community. The goal of

the Plan is to upgrade, strengthen, expand and sustain activities aimed at realizing the full

participation and equality of disabled persons.

Disaster

A recently released Mortality Risk Index by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster

Reduction (UNISDR) ranked the Philippines 12th among the 200 countries that were analyzed with

respect to tropical cyclone, flood, earthquake, and landslide risk. The typhoons and all their side-

effects such as landslides, storm surges, and flash floods, are the most frequent and devastating

events in the country.

The Philippines is considered as one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world because of its

geographical location. It has 220 volcanoes, of which 22 are known to be currently active. The

Philippines also lies at the junction of two large converging tectonic plates - the Pacific plate and the

Eurasian plate. The Philippines lies in the path of turbulent typhoons, and the archipelagic nature of

the Philippine coastal areas increases susceptibility to storm surges, tsunamis and sea level changes.

Floods are common due to rains brought by typhoons and the monsoon. Located in the western part

of the Pacific Ocean, the Philippines is also vulnerable to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO).

The impacts of natural disaster on the Filipino population are huge. The World Bank (2009) estimates

that in the last ten years disasters have cost the Philippines up to 1.3 billion US dollars in damages and

have affected up to 23 million Filipinos. Indirect economic and social costs and secondary effects are

not systematically documented following a disaster event. These include, among others,

environmental degradation, loss of natural habitats and destruction of ecosystems, disruption of

community life, and loss of cultural heritage assets, unemployment, urban migration, hindered

development, and worsened poverty.

Major disasters in The Philippines (compiled from various sources)

Luzon Earthquake, 1990: killed 2,412, affected 1,597,553, and destroyed 100,000 houses with

the estimated total loss of US$ 250 million.

Volcanic Eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, June 1991: 640 dead; 1,036,065 affected; 40,000 houses

damaged; 70,000 houses destroyed.

Destructive typhoon crossed the country, thirteen (13) in 1993 with 794 people dead and

estimated 20 Billion Pesos of damages. In 1995, nine (9) of them killed 1,204 and destroyed P15

Billion worth of damages.

El Niño Phenomenon, 1998: 985,000 families have suffered from starvation due to the severe

lack of water, affecting mostly farmers which subsequently reduced their income unable to

purchase food.

Typhoon Durian and Mud Flow, 2006: 1,399 dead; 2,562,517 affected.

Tropical Storm Ketsana, typhoon Ondoy and ensuing floods, 2009: 4,901,234 affected.

1.3 Legislation and policy framework

There is a range of international conventions and national laws that provide formal directions for

disability inclusive development and disaster management. They contribute to guide stakeholders to

cope with disasters by:

preparing for and managing disasters; addressing the situation and needs of vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities;




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considering the needs and rights of persons with disabilities;

protecting human rights.

At the international level

UN Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, 1993

Persons with disabilities are members of society and have the right to remain within their

local communities. They should receive the support they need within the ordinary structures

of education, health, employment and social services.

United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2007 (signed by Indonesia,

ratified by Philippines)

Article 10: Right to Life: Every human being has the inherent right to life and States shall take

all necessary measures to ensure its effective enjoyment by Persons with Disabilities on an

equal basis with others.

Article 11: Situation of risk and humanitarian emergencies: State parties shall take, in

accordance with their obligations under international law, including international

humanitarian law, all necessary measures to ensure protection and safety of Persons with

Disabilities in situation of risks, including situation of armed conflict, humanitarian

emergencies and the occurrence of national disasters.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDG)

It is internationally agreed that the MDG can only be achieved if persons with disabilities and

their family members are included.

The “Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015” (adopted by the Philippines and Indonesia in

2005) stated the resilience of nations and communities to disasters as their main priority. The

community is considered as the key resource in disaster management as well as the primary

beneficiary of the disaster risk management process.

Everybody, as a potential victim of disaster, has to be informed of the warnings, to be actively

included in the process of Community-Based Disaster Risk Management from identification to

implementation of the appropriate response.

At the regional level

The Biwako Millennium Framework (BMF 2002)

States have agreed to work towards an inclusive, barrier free and right based society for

Persons with Disabilities. At the midterm review in 2007, an explicit strategy was introduced

to recognize the importance of disability inclusive disaster management.

Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons 2003-2012

Unique initiative of the Asian and Pacific region, the 1993-2002 decade had among its main

strengths it’s Agenda for Action, blueprint to guide policy development and implementation

by Governments and non-governmental organizations, and laid out specific targets in 12 key

policy areas. Evaluation indicated that significant progress had been made in many policy

areas, but that progress had been from such a low base, that the Decade was extended for a

further ten year period, from 2003-2012.

In Indonesia

Law No 24/2007 on Disaster Management

The Disaster Management Law 24/2007 recognizes the shift from a focus on Disaster

Response to Disaster Risk Reduction while clearly identifying a systematic approach to

disaster management. The systematic approach consists of three phases:

1. pre-disaster planning and preparedness (including disaster risk reduction, mitigation,

preparedness and contingency planning),

2. during emergency response (SAR, relief) and,




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3. post – disaster longer term recovery (including rehabilitation and reconstruction).In the

Law, it is clearly mentioned that vulnerable group should also be included within disaster

management.

Government Regulation No. 21/2008 on Implementation of Disaster Management

Section 1 General Provisions: Art. 1 point 15: Vulnerable groups are infants, under-five

children, and children, pregnant or lactating mothers, disabled persons and elderly persons

Presidential Decision Number 39/1983

Inclusion of persons with disabilities in all the areas of the society

Law No. 4/1997 on Persons with Disabilities

Acknowledge persons with disabilities rights for education, employment, equal participations

accessibility, rehabilitation, social assistance, social welfare support, and equal rights to

develop personal talent, capacity and social life

Government Regulation Number 43/1998

Social measures for persons with disabilities concerning equality of status, rights, needs and

role of persons with disabilities in the society

Presidential Decree Number 83/1999

Creation of a commission to coordinate and control welfare benefits for persons with

disabilities to increase the efforts in this area

In the Philippines

Accessibility Law, R.A. 344 (1982)

“An act to enhance the mobility of persons with disabilities by requiring certain buildings,

institutions, establishments and public utilities to install facilities and other device” It provides

for minimum requirements and standards to make buildings, facilities and utilities for public

use accessible to disabled persons.

Republic Act 7277, 1992 (Magna Carta for Disabled People)

Persons with disabilities must enjoy the same rights as any other citizens and relevant

departments and agencies are mandated to meet their rights-based needs such as

rehabilitation, health, employment and social participation through non-discriminating

policies, programs, projects, provision of opportunities and special benefits.

Philippine Plan of Action for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons 2003-2012

National priorities directed towards the maximization of opportunities available to persons

with disabilities in all aspects of life in the community. The goal of the Plan is to upgrade,

strengthen, expand and sustain activities aimed at realizing the full participation and equality

of persons with disabilities.

Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010

In this act, the aim of developing and strengthening the capacities of vulnerable and

marginalized groups to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the effects of

disasters is clearly mentioned. “Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups” are defined as those

that face higher exposure to disaster risk and poverty including, but not limited to, women,

children, elderly, differently-able people, and ethnic minorities.

1.4 Handicap International approach to promoting disability-inclusive DRM

Handicap International focuses on access to services for all, equal opportunities, and on the

prevention of any type of discrimination, with a right-based approach. This is reflected by the

promotion of a two-pronged approach regarding mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues:

Mainstreaming of persons with disabilities in disaster risk reduction through inclusion of

disability in policies, legislations and programs, in all areas, at all levels, becoming an integraldimension of their design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation..




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Empowerment of persons with disabilities and their organizations to participate .in disaster

risk reduction through capacity-building and access to relevant support and specialized

services

Solution to overcome barriers faced by persons with disabilities in DRM can be done through:

Remove barriers (society level):

Physical (e.g. make WATSAN systems accessible);

Attitudinal (e.g. awareness campaigns to promote non-discrimination);

Information and communication (e.g. make early warning reaching everybody);

Enhance knowledge on how to work with persons with disabilities (e.g. task forces).

Promote equal and active participation:

Include persons with disabilities in vulnerability capacity assessments, contingency planning,

task forces, etc.;

Empower persons with disabilities or/and their representative (e.g. through specialized

services).

Make stakeholders' development / DRM strategies and disability-inclusive programs

1.5 Presentation of the project

1.5.1 Project fact sheet

DURATION

17 months (June 2010 to October 2011

OBJECTIVES

Global: Specific:

To reduce the vulnerability of people with

disabilities to natural hazards by enhancing their

participation and inclusion in Disaster Risk

Management activities.

To increase the capacities of key DRM

stakeholders of Philippines and Indonesia (local

authorities, local NGO and International NGO) in

mainstreaming disability in their activities.Expected Results

In both countries, key local stakeholders in Disaster Risk Management have increased their

knowledge on disability and mainstreaming disability in DRM

Support the integration of disaster risk management (DRM) in local governance and development

(This result, specific to the Philippines, will be implemented by ACF)

In both countries, persons with disabilities are effectively integrated in the targeted areas’

Community Based Disaster Risk Management activities.

A task force of disability focused organizations is prepared

1/ to meet persons with disabilities’ specific needs in case of a natural disaster (Philippines) and

2/ to do guidance on how to mainstream disability in disaster preparedness (Indonesia)

TARGET GROUPS 26 members of disabled people’s organizations and/or organizations specialized in the field of

disability

150 staff of DIPECHO partners (or other international organizations more or less directly

involved in DRR) and their direct partners

169 Government representatives and local authorities

1,245 persons with disabilities, children with disabilities (and their families) and/or other

extremely vulnerable individuals

For ACF: An estimated total of 8,023 direct beneficiaries from the Barangays

MAIN ACTIVITIES

Adapt existing training modules on “How to mainstream disability issues in CBDRM” and

sensitization tools to the Indonesian and Philippines contexts and publish them.

Conduct training and awareness for DRM stakeholders on mainstreaming disability on DRM




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initiatives, according to their needs and disseminate the information at local and national

levels

Accompany and monitor the effective inclusion of persons with disabilities in trained

partners’ activities

Provide appropriate specific individual support for identified persons with disabilities (needs

assessment, distribution of assistive devices, therapeutic care, etc.)

Raise awareness of targeted communities on disability issues, rights and mainstreaming

Collect and publish best practices and lessons learned

Conduct awareness raising on DRR with all concerned stakeholders (local authorities, media,

private/business sector) at provincial, municipal and Barangay level

Support the necessary mechanisms (Provincial Disaster Management Office (PDMO),

coordination meetings, disaster preparedness plans) to ensure the integration of DRM in

local governance creation and capacity-building.

Support for the integration, synchronization, and testing of school and Barangay disaster

preparedness plans including early warning systems (EWS).

Established specific support to meet persons with disabilities’ specific needs in case of anatural disaster (Philippines), to provide guidance on how to mainstream disability in

disaster preparedness (Indonesia) and to evaluate and identify the staff to be trained (15 in

Philippines, 9 in Indonesia).

1.5.2 Mainstreaming disability in DRM in Indonesia and the Philippines

While the project focused on common objectives and results, each country adopted specific

implementation and partnership strategies, based on the context and identified needs.

Support to DRM practitioners

In Indonesia, the support to DRM practitioners has been provided through the intermediary of a task

force of trainers made up of members of a disabled people’s organization (DPO) and a local NGOworking in the field of DRR and emergency. In the Philippines, this has been done by building the

capacities of Handicap International project team to deliver training and technical guidance.

While one has the advantage of participation of persons with disabilities as actors of the project and

sustainability by building capacities in local civil society, the other allows closer control on the

approaches and supervision by internal technical resources.

Support to the participation of persons with disabilities

When it comes to the empowerment of persons with disabilities, both countries used a combination

of direct support and referral to existing services, to facilitate their access to services. Identification of

services and barriers (financial, legal, logistic, etc.) to access, and provision of solutions to overcome

these barriers are common approaches to both countries.In Indonesia, Handicap International provided assistive devices, supported families, facilitated peer

support, and fostered the setting-up of community solidarity mechanism for financial access to

rehabilitation services.

In the Philippines, Handicap International worked with the target communities to improve the

accessibility of existing DRM systems including evacuation plans, evacuation centers and early warning

systems. Through initiating and organizing stakeholder dialogues, Handicap International has also

linked persons with disabilities to governmental service-providers such as the local Social Welfare and

Development Offices and Health Offices.

Work with DPO

The collaboration with DPOs was addressed differently in the two countries. While Indonesia focusedon CIQAL, a well-established DPO as a member of the training task force but did not work with local




13

DPO in the implementing area due to the scarcity of resources, the Philippines supported a local

partner working on disability, Simon of Cyrene, in developing its capacities on DRM. Simon of Cyrene

then transferred this knowledge to its own network of 16 DPO.

On the one hand, DRM actors were supported to include a specific issue through the support of a

specialized organization, while on the other hand a specialized organization was supported to

integrate an additional topic to cater to the needs of its target group.

This approach to work with DPO was largely dictated by their presence (or not) in the implementing

areas, the resources (trainers) they could dedicate to the project, existing capacities and the will to

develop new ones.

Work with authorities

The work with authorities to advocate for inclusion of disability in DRM has been considered

differently in both countries.

In Indonesia, the recent creation of BPBD (National DRM agency) pushed to focus activities on

progressive engagement with the agency, at provincial and district levels. In the same time, Dinas

Sosial at provincial level has been regularly involved in activities, in order to support their action

towards persons with disabilities as well as in DRM. This has mostly been done through co-operation

through awareness-raising activities and involvement of authorities’ representatives in trainings and

mock-drills.

In the Philippines where the DRM framework is well established and line of command are in place

between the different levels, action has been taken at national level for advocacy regarding the

inclusion of disability in the DRM framework. At the local level, where most barangays, municipalities

and provinces are just starting to establish their DRM councils, engagement is through the integration

of disability in mainstream actors’ capacity-building and awareness raising activities focused on DRM.

However, in cases where the DRM agenda is more advanced, Handicap International also works

directly with local DRM councils. For example, this is the case for the province of Albay where the

Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) was established in the early 1990’s.

Besides the field activities, the project includes components shared between the two countries. These

are exchange of practices and lessons learned, and the development of a common disability-inclusive

DRM training manual.

In Indonesia

The project increased the capacities of key DRM stakeholders such as local authorities (Dinas Sosial,

BPBD), communities (TAGANA volunteer groups, Village DRR Forums), local and international NGO, in

including disability in their activities in the districts of Kupang and TTS. This was done through training

and technical support provided by the pool of trainers from a disabled people’s organization (Ciqal)

and a national NGO (YEU) focusing on emergency relief and DRR. The project also directly supportedthe participation of persons with disabilities through the delivery of appropriate individual support.

The awareness of targeted communities on disability, specific needs and aptitudes of persons with

disabilities and the need to include them in DRR, was raised via public events (International Day of

Persons with Disabilities), as well as dissemination of newsletters and other relevant documentation.

Finally, regarding raising awareness on the inclusion of persons with disabilities, information sessions

were organized at the village level involving DPO and testimony of persons with disabilities from

villages where inclusion was happening. In addition, information on rehabilitation care was also

provided by physiotherapists from a local hospital.




14

Intervention strategy in Indonesia

Training of trainers on Mainstreaming Disability

into DRM for one DPO and one NGO (the pool of

trainers lus Handica International facilitators

The pool of trainers delivers

training to project partners

(INGOs, local NGOs,

TAGANA) on the basis of

their project’s specific focus

in DRR (VCA, EWS,

evacuation procedures etc)

Pool of trainers and HI

facilitators monitor and

provide support to partners

for the implementation of

mainstreaming disability into

DRM in their field activities

HI facilitators support the

empowerment of PWD and their

families to participate in communityDRR activities through information

session, awareness-raising in

communities, information on

holistic rehabilitation, and solidarity

mechanisms for access to physical

rehabilitation.

Mock-drills are organized to

review and adjust the

capacities developed by

partners and their

implementation.

DPO involved in the pool of

trainers share their experience

with other DPOs working with

ASB in Yogyakarta area to

empower disability

stakeholders to get involved in

disability-inclusive DRR.




15

Partners and Stakeholders

Based on the lessons learned from a previous DRM project, Handicap International in Indonesia

adopted a strategy that met the need for an intensive “hands on” technical support facilitating the

effective inclusion of persons with disabilities in the field.

The full details of the collaboration with the implementing partners was finalized during the first

month of the project, being aware that the stakeholders listed hereunder were either considered as

implementing partners and/or beneficiaries of this action.

Ciqal : a disabled people’s organization (DPO) and YEU: NGO working in DRR

The two organizations were trained to deliver trainings and refreshers to DRM stakeholders at the

community level on mainstreaming disability. They also participated in specific activities such as the

development of IEC materials, meetings with the DPO and awareness raising activities.

CordAid (OISCA), World Vision Indonesia, Netherlands Red Cross (PMI), Care International

Indonesia, CIS Timor:

These organizations benefited from the trainings implemented by Ciqal and YEU pool of trainers,

which gave them sufficient knowledge to ensure persons with disabilities were included in their

initiatives.

ASB (Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Deutschland): DIPECHO Partner

ASB worked with Handicap International on the adaptation and the improvement the Handicap

International inclusive DRM tools and documents, participated in experience sharing meetings and

various workshops focusing on disability mainstreaming.

Social Welfare (Dinsos) through TAGANA (Taruna Siaga Bencana)

The TAGANA are a volunteers’ body whose members are active in the communities. The TAGANA are

in the front line in case of emergency. Localized at the level of the district, they are the first to be on

the scene of disaster and respond to the first needs. TAGANA were trained on assessment,

contingency plan, evacuation and first aid.

In the Philippines

The project raised awareness targeting government agencies (such as National Disaster Risk Reduction

and Management Council, the National Council on Disability Affairs, the Office of Civil Defense),

DIPECHO partners, local non-governmental organizations (NGO), and donor agencies in order to

increase the understanding of disability issues in general and demystify the issue.

The project also built the capacity of stakeholders and provided technical guidance to those interested

in immediate implementation of the learning (Provincial/Municipal/Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction

and Management Council - DRRMC, Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office).

Finally, the project built the capacity of disability-focused organizations (Simon of Cyrene) to promote

disability-inclusive DRM and be in position to provide timely and effective response to persons with

disabilities’ specific needs in case of emergency.




16

Intervention strategy in Philippines

Partners and Stakeholders

As in Indonesia, Handicap International in the Philippines developed partnerships in implementing the

project with DIPECHO partners, although capacity-building and awareness-raising was provided to all

partners and stakeholders, while financial and material support were provided to key partners only.

Key partners

ACF Spain

ACF was a direct implementing partner for Handicap International in the Philippines. The organization

benefited from daily technical support in all its community-based DRM activities to include disability

issues and persons with disabilities.

Simon of Cyrene

Simon of Cyrene is a local organization promoting the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities

through a comprehensive Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Program. Simon of Cyrene staff was

trained to increase its capacity in disaster preparedness, including on contingency planning, and to

coordinate with Albay province local authorities to ensure disability issues were included in the

Organizational training of

trainers for Handicap

International staff on

Mainstreaming Disability

into DRM

Handicap International

delivers training onmainstreaming disability

in DRM to partners: ACF,

German and Spanish Red

Cross, Simon of Cyrene,

DIPECHO partners

Handicap

International

provides specific

support to DIPECHO

partners on

disability-inclusive

Simon ofCyrene

replicates

the

trainings for

Handicap

International

monitors the

implementation of

disability-inclusive

DRM by ACF in

project target areas

Partners implement DRM

activities with disability-

mainstreaming




17

province disaster management plan. The organization also transferred its newly acquired knowledge

to its network of partner DPO.

Key stakeholders

The following stakeholders benefitted from awareness-raising sessions and/or training on

mainstreaming disability in DRM:

DIPECHO partners, other NGO and civil society organizations: Christian Aid/Social Action

Center and the ASCEND project, Save the Children, Philippine National Red Cross, Coalition of

Services for the Elderly, Coastal Core, Marinduque Council for Environmental Conservation,

German Red Cross, Spanish Red Cross, International Organization for Migration, International

Committee of the Red Cross, Oxfam, GIZ, Liliane Foundation, Assistance and Cooperation for

Community Resilience and Development Inc. (Accord Inc.), Christian Blind Mission,

Community and Family Services International

The trainings and sessions completed under the project targeted both the managers of the

organizations as well as their field teams. Following the trainings, several of the organizations

reported that disability was included in their DRM activities, albeit in varying degrees.

Government agencies and offices: National Council on Disability Affairs, Department of Social

Welfare and Development, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of

Interior and Local Government - Region VIII, Office of Civil Defense – National Capital Region

Donors: ECHO, AECID Australian Agency for International Development,

UN Agencies: OCHA, UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, WFP, WHO




18

SECTION II: METHODOLOGY

2.1 Objective of the Lessons Learned Exercise

General Objective

To share experience on the lessons learned from the project implementation in mainstreaming

disability in DRM initiatives which will serve as an advocacy tool for practitioners, policy makers, and

even community in developing disability-inclusive DRM.

Specific Objectives

The lessons learned documentation process was also intended to:

Organize information about the experience of the project;

Identify good practices and challenges in the implementation of the project;

Process and elaborate information on good practices and challenges;

Enumerate recommendations based on the lessons learned for possible replication of theproject and building of organizational practical knowledge.

2.2 The Intended Readers

This document can be used by a broad range of stakeholders with diverse interests and

responsibilities regarding the implementation disability-inclusive DRM activities: community,

practitioners, and policy makers. These experiences are used to propose practical recommendations

for action by the three different groups of stakeholders.

Policy Maker/Local authorities

Decision-makers directly involved in the formulation of development policy and planningframeworks, including the approval and allocation of financial resources to such frameworks,

at local, national, regional and global levels; elected officials; local government

representatives; heads of administrative authorities, and decentralized state or private

services.

The publication makes recommendations on how these stakeholders can promote an inclusive

approach to DRM to ensure that persons with disabilities, through their representative organizations,

can participate fully in local governance mechanisms.

Practitioners

DRM practitioners


2.1 Objectives of the lessons learned exercise

2.2 The intended readers

2.3 Process and tools




19

From governmental organizations and civil society organizations (CSO), including non-governmental

organizations (NGO) and community based organizations (CBO), engaged in various aspects and levels

of the mainstreaming disability into DRM in program/project development and implementation.

Disabled People’s Organization (DPO)

DPO play a fundamental role in the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities and in

the representation of their rights and interests.. The document provides information on how

DPO can strengthen their advocacy skills and engage in consultations and decision-making

processes at the local level, using a solutions-oriented approach and constructive dialogue

with policy-makers.

Community

Individuals, persons with disabilities, villagers.

This document provides information on how to build inclusive DRM in the community.

The document makes recommendations on how to mainstream disability into DRM projects and

program undertaken by these stakeholders. It is also intended for the readers to integrate disability

issues and implement measures to encourage the active participation of persons with disabilities in

mechanisms for consultation and decision-making in DRM initiatives.

2.3 Process and Tools

The lesson learned process consisted of 5 steps as described in the figure below, from the collection of

case studies to the development of this document.

Case StudiesThe case studies were developed based on the interviews conducted by project team with the

community, partners, and individuals on issues related to mainstreaming disability into DRM within

the project. The case studies were identified and written during the implementation of the project

and served as the basis for the formulation of the project’s lessons learned.

Lessons Learned Exercise

The lessons learned process started with the development of the case studies to find out change,

good practices, challenges, lessons learned and recommendation. Lessons learned were categorized

into three levels of implementation: community, practitioners, and policy makers to highlight the

importance of each stakeholder in making DRM initiatives disability-inclusive.




20

Lessons learned Review and Case Study Validation

Consultations were conducted with stakeholders to validate the case studies and review the lessons

learned. Case studies were selected according to their illustration of significant changes in considering

disability in DRM initiatives. Stakeholders from community, practitioners, and policy makers review

the changes; good practices, challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations derived from the case

studies.

Inter exchange Workshop

The objective of the inter exchange workshop was to share experience of promoting disability-

inclusive DRM initiatives work between levels in two countries, to find commonalities and differences

in the implementation of the project. The experience sharing was a learning opportunity for all to

better understand the different strategies implemented by the two countries.

In summary, the lessons learned document resulted from the following process:

A. Collection

Lessons learned are identified in the field by team and partners throughout project

implementation:

They are discussed in each project team in project meetings (with team and

with partners),

They are recorded through project minutes and framed using the proposed

template,

Case studies are drafted to support the Lessons Learned

Interview of key focal points on mainstreaming disability into DRM initiatives

Project documents review

B. Compilation and analysis

At the end of the collection period, a national workshop is organized in each country to review

the lessons learned and validate the case studies.

o All collected lessons learned and case studies are reviewed

o Further prioritization is proposed

o Selection is done for the lessons learned and case studies to be presented in the

regional workshop according to their relevance.

o Once a final list is established, complete argumentation is developed for each selected

lesson learned and case study

An inter-country LL seminar is organized between the two countries to:

1. Review the shared experiences,

2. Present the lessons learned; the final list established by each country is presented

3. Each lesson learned is presented with relevant case studies and key argumentation

4. Similarities and specificities are identified between experiences in the two countries

5. Discuss the relevance and prioritization of lessons learned; a final list is established

6. Relevance of lesson learned and overall prioritization are discussed, and a final list is

established

7. Common recommendations are developed

On the basis of the outputs of the seminar, a lessons learned document is developed to be

disseminated to relevant stakeholders.




21

SECTION III: LESSONS LEARNED

This section consists of the lessons learned during the project implementation, the challenges andgood practices identified and key recommendations. The three sub-sections describe the lessons

learned from the activities implemented with the different target groups of the project. They are

segmented according to the three main groups targeted in the process of promoting disability-

inclusive DRM: communities, DRM practitioners, and policy makers. Each sub-section is divided by

specific country, as they used different approaches. Lessons learned are presented through the

following steps:

A case study illustrating the intervention and the occurred changes.

The logic of intervention, which is a short description of the activity, approach or process

from which the Lessons Learned is derived.

A description of the changes occurred following the intervention: the tangible,

immediate impact derived from this intervention. The lesson learned from these changes: activities and approaches that can be considered

successful or that were challenging in the implementation of the project.

Recommendations for future action: highlight of good practices to replicate and

challenges to consider.

3.1 Community level

3.1.1 Community level in Indonesia

In Indonesia, the mainstreaming of disability in DRM at community level was conducted in

collaboration with other DRM practitioners in 11 villages of 2 districts in Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT).

It was implemented through technical guidance addressing the field activities and tools within the

projects of 3 NGO practitioners: CARE, CIS TIMOR and OISCA (Mitra Bina Swadaya). The Voluntary

Disaster Corps (TAGANA), managed by Dinas Sosial, were also involved in activities such as mock-

drills and experience-sharing workshops.

After an initial training phase (3 to 5 days per organization), each organization received technical

support on mainstreaming disability into their DRM project according to the needs identified in their

own DRM projects.

The main stake of mainstreaming disability into community based disaster risk reduction was the

inclusion and active participation of persons with disabilities in DRM team/forum discussions at thevillage level. It is important to stress that some persons with disabilities became role models for


3.1 Community level

3.2 Practitioners level

3.3 Policy Maker level




22

other persons with disabilities and played an important role in supporting them to be more actively

involved in community activities

Case study

Persons with disabilities have the right to be involved!Resettlement Area in Tanah Merah Village, Kupang District

The CIS Timor program “Sustainable Community Development to New Citizens and Local Community

in Kupang District”, implemented in Tanah Merah village and resettlement site, focuses on

addressing water shortages caused by droughts, which is affecting food security and health condition

of people who live in the resettlement site since 2007. This situation is also acknowledged as

potentially leading to conflict within the community in this area, with other groups in Tanah Merah

village, or outside the resettlement area.

“We hope that through clean water program from CIS Timor, problems in water supply for drinking,

cooking food, sanitation and agriculture can be overcome; it can also influence agricultural and

economic activities to strengthen our food security. We can also built toilets, so that we can havecleaner and healthier life” said resettlement site coordinator, Vicenti Pinto.

Vicenti has been inviting and engaging persons with disabilities living in the resettlement site since

the beginning, before the implementation of the "Mainstreaming disability in DRM" project.

However, following Handicap International intervention, the community acknowledges better

understanding, and awareness on the rights of persons with disabilities to be involved in the

community.

“Handicap International made the

community aware about the importance of

engaging persons with disabilities. We

already engaged people with visual

impairments living in this area; however withthe support from Handicap International and

CIS Timor we are more aware about their

rights to be involved. Handicap International

also provided assistive devices such as white

canes, and eyeglasses to people with visual

impairments in our community,” said Vicenti.

"Following the project, we plan to gather

persons with disabilities from this area and

support them to form a DPO because they

have the same rights as other people.

Therefore, we hope that we can all togetherhave a better and healthier life. We also

hope that people with visual impairment in

this area can get support in improving their skills and getting job opportunities.” stated Vicenti Pinto.

Intervention Logic

Cooperation was implemented as follow:

Training on mainstreaming disability into DRM for CARE, CIS TIMOR and OISCA field teams, as

well as TAGANA volunteers which received more emphasize on inclusive search, rescue, and

evacuation

“we plan to gather persons with disabilities from this area

and support them to form a DPO because they have the

same rights as other people” said Vicenti Pinto thecoordinator of Tanah Merah Ressetlement




23

Awareness-raising sessions to village DRM team and other community stakeholders on the

rights of persons with disabilities and inclusion of disability into DRM initiatives during

partners’ activities, DRM teams meetings and community gatherings.

Distribution of information, education and communication (IEC) material such as newsletter

(Sahabat) and leaflets to DRM forum, village administrator, and persons with disabilities.

Identification of persons with disabilities through community meetings and home visits

Provision of assistive devices to support participation of persons with disabilities in the

village DRM activities

Support to access to rehabilitation care for persons with disabilities through referral and

development of solidarity mechanisms

Accompaniment and monitoring for the implementation of evacuation mock drills in 2

disaster prone villages (1 per district)

Regular technical meetings with NGO partners and village DRM structures (on average every

2 weeks)

Dissemination of Handicap International’s Lessons Learned document to NGOs, TAGAN A,

disaster risk reduction (DRR) groups and DPOs

Changes

The awareness-raising and identification of persons with disabilities processes that were

implemented throughout the project clearly increased the information available about persons with

disabilities in the communities. Community members experienced discussions and exchanges about

the situation of persons with disabilities and expressed interest in learning more about inclusion of

disability in their community activities. They also acknowledged that this would improve resiliency of

the community as a whole.

Previously marginalized or under-considered, persons with disabilities expressed interest to attend

and for some of them to participate actively in community meetings and DRM group sessions. Somepersons with disabilities became champions for disability-inclusive DRM in their community. In some

villages, compulsory representation of persons with disabilities in the DRM group has been officially

acknowledged through village DRM regulations.

Finally, Tagana developed skills for inclusive emergency search, rescue and evacuation that they

practiced through the mock-drills implemented during the project.

Lessons Learned

"Community based organizations as advocate for

inclusive DRM"

Tagana (Taruna Siaga Bencana), volunteer groups, under the

supervision of Social Welfare Department, were trained by

Handicap International in 2 districts on the inclusion of persons

with disabilities and vulnerable people in disaster response.

As a voluntarily based organization, their members are recruited

directly from the community. Tagana mostly provides specific

service during emergency response at community level. However,

the organization practices have already widened and Tagana now

contribute to the “Desa Siaga Bencana” (Disaster Resilient Village)

prevention initiative. Tagana has included disability as a cross-cutting issue in the program implementation in order to build

Tagana member is conducting

evacuation in the simulation of

Search, rescue, and Evacuation in

Tolnaku Ku an District




24

disaster resilient community. As an organization supported by the provincial authorities, Tagana is a

relevant sustainability vector of disability inclusion in DRM within communities.

"Involvement of persons with disabilities in DRM group meetings"

As the result of the awareness-raising in the communities, capacity building of partners and the

empowerment of persons with disabilities in the villages, communities have started to change their

perception of persons with disabilities. This shift resulted in persons with disabilities being

considered as incapable to participate to community life, to them being included in the planning and

implementation of DRM activities in the villages. Key factors in the empowerment process were

building positive self- perspective through the development of role models, access to rehabilitation

when needed, peer support and involvement of the families.

“Importance of role model f or the empowerment of persons with disabilities”

Strong persons with disabilities

are an asset in advocating for

inclusion. As "role model" they

are an important vector in the

process of changing mindsets on

disability from stigma to

inclusion and motivating other

persons with disabilities.

Identifying strong or motivated

persons with disabilities who

can influence decision-making

processes within the community

is therefore very effective.

The identification of these

persons can be done during the

project’s initial phase and can be

followed by building their

capacity in mobilizing other

persons with disabilities through

information sharing and peer

support. Improving persons with disabilities’ capacity to become key resources creates an enabling

environment and increases opportunity for other persons with disabilities to participate. These

persons can also be instrumental in forming self-help groups or DPO at village level.

"Local leaders as vectors of change"

Key figures in the local community have the capacity to influence other members to accept new

ideas and can become role models in fostering and implementing inclusive local regulations and

practices. They are relevant targets for advocacy and involving them in awareness-raising andinclusive activities can prove very effective.

“Institutionalization of inclusive DRM”

One key factor in the sustainability of inclusive DRM is its institutionalization. It can be done by

formally defining inclusion of persons with disabilities as a cross-cutting issue within existing local

organizations or regulations. Using this system instead of creating new additional rules and

organizations can be locally relevant and more acceptable for communities, particularly if the

capacities of persons with disabilities to advocate and be actively involved are limited.

“Supporting self -help groups and families ”

The role of family is crucial in the process of increasing the motivation of persons with disabilities. It

can be strengthened through peer support and family forums. Therefore, it is important to conduct

awareness-raising and capacity building for the families as well as support persons with disabilities

Simon Beti, person with disability, a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Forum

member in Noebesa, Timor Tengah Selatan Ditrict




25

themselves to conduct advocacy. Having peer groups and supportive families open opportunities for

persons with disabilities to become more independent.

“Supporting empowerment of Persons with Disabilities by strengthening referral system to

service providers “

Capacity and motivation of persons with disabilities to participate in DRM community activities also

depends on their capacities to fulfill their other needs. Even though this is not necessarily the

objective of the current project, this can be effectively supported by building mechanisms for referral

to service providers for rehabilitation services, livelihood, health, or education among others.

“Support the development of local disability movement to advocate for disability inclusive

DRM"

Beyond individual participation, organizations representative of persons with disabilities are

important to do advocacy work and provide inputs in decision-making process (local development

plans for example) with local leaders and government representatives. Therefore support to the

development of local self-help groups and DPOs in communities is relevant in a mid-term perspective

to support the inclusion of persons with disabilities in DRM.

Good Practices

Inclusive DRR regulation

In the village of Noebesa, in Timor Tengah Selatan (TTS) district, the institutionalization of disability

inclusion into DRM took place through the drafting of an inclusive DR regulation at the village level.

This was the result of continuous communication between DRM Forum, village administrator, and

OISCA. The regulation acknowledges the right of persons with disabilities to be involved in village

development, especially in DRM. It serves as the basis for the DRM structure and activities within the

village, as well as for budget allocation. It also supports the empowerment of persons with

disabilities.

Inclusive wellsThe activity of the "Sustainable Community

Development to New Citizens and Local

Community” project set-up by CIS Timor in Kupang

District is intended to reduce water shortage risks.

To ensure persons with disabilities’ rights and

needs are taken into account within the DRM

activity, CIS Timor encouraged them to be

members of the Potable Water provision group.

One of the results of this participation was the

building of accessible wells by the community.

Inclusive emergency proceduresThe inclusive emergency procedures, set-up in the

village of Noebesa accommodate the needs of

persons with disabilities and define their possible

contribution in the event of emergency. These procedures are the consequence of joint work

between the community, the DRM Forum and OISCA. Community members are now aware of the

specific needs of persons with disabilities in case of emergency but also of their relevance as

participants in certain DRM activities, following participation of persons with disabilities in meetings

and discussions to determine inclusive emergency procedures taking into account the persons with

disabilities present in the community.

An inclusive well in Naibonat village




26

Challenges

The participation of persons with disabilities in DRM activities is still limited due in part to mobility

limitations and self-confidence issues. Access to support services such as rehabilitation and individual

support through the family and self-help groups is still largely underdeveloped and does not allow toeffectively overcoming these barriers.

Village landscape remains a major challenge that limits access to information, communication

between persons with disabilities and participation in community activities. This needs to be

anticipated carefully at assessment stage to develop timely community support and solidarity

mechanisms.

Identification of persons with disabilities remains a potentially challenging and time-consuming

activity. It should be carefully anticipated and planned with the involvement of community structures

and local organizations to allow timely implementation of other activities.

3.1.2 Community level in the Philippines

The mainstreaming of disability into DRM at community level in Philippines was conducted by

Handicap International in partnership with ACF. The implementation took place in 8 Barangays in

Catanduanes, in areas prone to typhoons, landslides, etc. ACF had previously implemented a DRM

project in some of the Barangays and for the second phase, promoted the mainstreaming of inclusive

DRM into local government systems.

Case study 1

COUNT US IN, COUNT ON US.

Persons with disabilities of Pagsangahan

ACF has been working in Pagsangahan since 2007 under

their disaster risk reduction project, providing training andassistance to municipalities to improve their DRM

capacities. Following the partnership with Handicap

International, activities were conducted to raise the

community’s awareness on disability, prompting an

updating of their persons with disabilities registry and

encouraging persons with disabilities participation in DRM

activities. Trainings in Disaster Risk Reduction

Management (DRRM) and Participatory Vulnerability and

Capacity Assessment (PCVA) conducted in the community

were attended by persons with disabilities and resulted in

an increased awareness among community members onthe inclusion of disability in DRM.

Eighteen year-old Alma Bulima has speech and mobility

impairments. She was invited to participate in the PCVA

training. She was happy that the community encouraged

her to attend even if it takes some time for her to express

her thoughts. It was her first time to participate in such

training because aside from her communication

difficulties, she also has weak legs that stop her from going

to community affairs. The barangay secretary who saw

Alma during the training observed that when asking for

Alma’s opinions, one should be patient and wait until sheis able to compose her thoughts and speak. “She is a

Eighteen year-old Alma Bulima has speech and

mobility impairments and has been actively

involved in DRM meetings in Pagsangahan

Barangay




27

Residents of Barangay Pagsanghan preparing for anevacuation drill

bright kid,” Alma’s mother, Melba added. She said that attending the training made her realize that

“Despite my disability I can still help others.” When asked if she’s willing to help ot her persons with

disabilities in particular, she answered; “Absolutely!” Alma is now a member of the evacuation

committee of the Barangay DRRMC, and she says that she’s doing this to show other persons with

disabilities that they can do it too!

For Michelle delos Santos, Handicap International’s advocacy to ensure that persons with disabilities

are not neglected gave their community a wider perspective and a better understanding of persons

with disabilities. As mother to five-year old Eugene who has intellectual and speech impairment, she

felt how their community became more welcoming and supportive of her son. She said that their

neighbors realized that Eugene needed more time to understand things but can follow instructions.

“ They saw that a child with disability can still do other things.” Aside from that, she credits ACF and

Handicap International’s trainings for allowing her to look beyond Eugene’s disability. Like most

families in Pagsangahan, Michelle and her husband, Edwin has drawn up an evacuation plan wherein

Eugene would be the first one to be evacuated. In this plan, they have assigned a task to him: “I can

let him carry some water containers if we need to evacuate since he has no problem in moving

around. His disability is only with his speech,” said Michelle. Likewise, Michelle’s husband believes in

their son’s abilities. He said, “ They have the ability to do things that we cannot do.”

Case study 2

AIMING FOR AN INCLUSIVE DISASTER-RESILIENT COMMUNITY

Barangay Pagsangahan

“Amazing!” said Grace Morales, secretary

of Barangay Pagsangahan, of Handicap

International’s intervention in their

community. “ It’s just amazing how one

organization gives importance to persons

with disabilities. We now have a broaderidea of who a person with disability is.

Before, we thought that persons with

disabilities are only those who have

difficulty walking.”

Pagsangahan is one of the eight target

barangays of the project where inclusive

DRR trainings and a disability survey has

been done by Handicap International and

partner, ACF, located in an area prone to

landslides, floods and typhoons, “It’s only

now that (issues of) persons withdisabilities surfaced”, said Elena Bernal, a

barangay official. She said that before

Handicap International came, the list of persons with disabilities was just a document that needs to

be submitted to the Local Government Unit (LGU). Now, Bernal said, they have finally seen its

purpose which is to identify and map persons with disabilities, make them aware of their rights and

to tap their capabilities.

ACF and Handicap International conducted trainings on disaster risk management (DRM) and hazard,

vulnerabilities and capacity assessment (HVCA) in Pagsangahan. An awareness-raising event was also

done in the barangay during the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Through these

activities, the community’s awareness on involving persons with disabilities in all aspects of disaster

management was increased. Months after Handicap International arrived, an increase in persons

with disabilities participation was observed. They were seen coming to meetings and trainings in the

community.




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The barangay targets zero casualty and employs regular disaster preparedness measures like tree

planting, community clean-up and weather monitoring. Previous DRM trainings given by Handicap

International and ACF have allowed them to identify disaster-resilient structures where people can

run to in times of typhoons and floods. Families especially those with persons with disabilities

prepare emergency kits at the first sign of a bad weather. Each household also has its own

evacuation plan.

After the trainings given by Handicap International and ACF, the barangay has also improved the

inclusiveness of their early warning system (EWS), which used to be solely audio-based.

They used to rely only on face-to-face communication to inform those with hearing impairments and

other type of impairments, with their BDRRMC assigning persons to notify each household of

impending disasters, taking in consideration those houses where persons with disabilities live. Now,

in addition to these house-to-house visits and their audio signals, the barangay also place flags in

strategic places of the community, with colors indicating whether household need to observe,

prepare or evacuate.

The barangay has also seen the importance of making structures accessible. “ We want to build an

evacuation center that is accessible, with ramps and all,” said Rosie Salvador, Barangay Secretary.

Their Barangay Captain has also sought the assistance of Handicap International regarding the

standard measurements of a ramp that they’re planning to add to their day care center. They also

would like to ensure that every family in the barangay has enough knowledge on disability-inclusive

DRM. They plan to do this by requiring one representative from each family to attend a DRM training

which will be facilitated by council members previously trained by ACF and Handicap International.

The interest and the willingness to build an inclusive and disaster resilient community is apparent in

Pagsangahan but a lot of challenges hinder them from achieving this. While persons with disabilities

attendance has increased over the past months, the community feels that persons with disabilities

have yet to find enough courage and confidence to express their thoughts and opinions. “ They have

not been giving much input during meetings,” commented Bernal. Further, persons with disabilities

who are interested to participate are mostly hindered by their physical limitations, translating for

example in an inability to walk without a caregiver or an assistive device. For other persons without

disabilities, house chores and work in the farm do not allow them to take part in community

activities. Political differences also hinder community members as well as persons with disabilities in

participating in DRM activities. Differing attitudes of community members prevent the entry of new

information regarding DRM and disability.

Regarding Handicap International’s intervention, the community thinks that the organization lacked

in the provision of direct response to persons with disabilities’ specific needs, for example through

distribution of assistive devices or medicines as well as support in the construction of accessible

structures. They also believe that there is still a need for more information on how persons with

disabilities and their caregivers can better prepare and respond for disasters.

Despite all the challenges, the community is bent on achieving their goal of ensuring the safety of its

entire people in times of disasters. The barangay has allotted a budget for the construction of anaccessible evacuation center and plans to continue sourcing funds to sustain their DRR activities.

Intervention Logic

Community-based DRM activities were implemented by Handicap International and ACF with the

following intervention logic:

Training on mainstreaming disability into DRM was done for the ACF team in Catanduanes,

together with the PDRRMO and the PDRRMC

After the training, the Handicap International and ACF DRR teams discussed in which

community-based DRM activities disability was to be mainstreamed in the target areas. Sixkey activities were selected:




29

1. Barangay and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Training, attended

by members of the barangay and municipal DRRMCs.

2. Awareness-raising activities including public awareness-raising sessions in the

communities, a session for the private sector and a session for the media.

3. Contingency planning

4. Hazard Capacity Vulnerability Assessment

5. Disaster preparedness planning

6. Synchronized early warning systems and evacuation plans, tested through

evacuation drills

The above activities were implemented together by Handicap International and ACF in eight

barangays, with Handicap International responsible for ensuring that persons with disabilities

were included in each activity from the design stage and that they participated in each

activity.

To facilitate the inclusiveness of the six activities above, Handicap International conducted a

survey of persons with disabilities in the eight target communities. Lists provided by the

Municipal Health Offices were utilized as a base and updated through house-to-house visits

to persons with disabilities. The updated registry was provided to the barangay authorities,

the Municipal Health Offices and to the ACF’s Community Development Officers.

To complement the six activities mentioned above, Handicap International also conducted

the following activities in the communities:

1. Participatory accessibility audits of evacuation centers and early warning systems

2. Stakeholders dialogue between persons with disability and representatives from

relevant government offices including barangay authorities, Municipal Health

Offices, and the Provincial and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices

3. Coaching session for persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers, their

BDRRMC on preparedness

4. Distribution of a Personal Disaster Preparedness Guides for Persons with Disabilities,

accompanied by individual preparedness kits

5. Distribution of inclusive early warning system kits to the target barangays

Changes

The implementation of the mainstreaming of disability into DRM at the community-level through the

above intervention logic has brought visible changes in the life of the communities, not only for

persons with disabilities but the community as a whole.

For persons with disabilities, their participation in project activities has helped them recognize that

they too can contribute to their communities. Together with their families, a number of persons with

disabilities started taking a more active role in DRM. For example, a number of persons with

disabilities have joined DRM committees, assisting others during evacuations. With their experience

in community DRM planning, some persons with disabilities have also taken the initiative to develop

individual disasters evacuation plans.

For the communities, the project led to the realization that DRM plans need to include persons with

disabilities to truly ensure the safety of the entire community. With this realization, many

communities have now updated their hazard and evacuation maps to indicate households with

persons with disabilities or older persons. All of the target communities have also added visual

signals to their early warning systems. Some communities have also started thinking about the

importance of accessible evacuation centers, leading to either plans to fit their centers with

accessible features or to them ensuring that persons with disabilities are ‘matched’ with center that

meet their accessibility needs and other needs. More importantly, the communities have recognized

that persons with disabilities also have the capacities to contribute to community life.




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Coupled with their increased knowledge on DRR, awareness on the rights and capacities of persons

with disabilities and changes in attitudes of both persons with disabilities and the community in

general have contributed to decreasing the level of vulnerability in the target communities.

Lessons learned

“Identification of accessibility issues in the community ensure the development of a safer

and inclusive evacuation center”

Participatory accessibility audits were conducted to assess the accessibility of evacuation centers and

early warning systems in the target barangays. Those audits established how accessible a particular

‘structure’ is to a wide range of potential users, including persons with disabilities. It serves as a

starting point for an ‘accessibility action plan’, used to highlight areas for improvement.

Accessibility audit also looked beyond the physical barriers to inclusion to improve knowledge on

accessibility and attitudes towards disability. It increased the community’s awareness on the

importance of accessible evacuation centers and EWS in the barangay, and on the modifications that

needed be done.The participatory accessibility audit involved all DRM stakeholders in the community, such as

members of the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils, barangay officials and

representatives of various sectors of the community including: persons with disabilities, older

persons, as well as children, both women and men. Plans to build, renovate or modify existing

evacuation centers and EWS to ensure that it is accessible and inclusive were developed based on

the results of the accessibility audits.

“Intensive guidance to community leaders and Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management Councils (BDRRMC) ”

Intensive and proper guidance through awareness-raising and capacity building to community

leaders and BDRRMC helped in ensuring the process of mainstreaming disability into DRM within the

community. Community leaders and BDDRMC have an important influence on the decision making

process in the community.

“Practical information for persons with disabilities ”

More focus should be given on providing persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers, and

the community information on how to prepare for disasters and how to work with persons with

disabilities during emergencies. Communities will be more confident in dealing with persons with

disabilities and be able to encourage their active participation in developing community action plans

for DRM. Supporting materials such as booklets or guidelines need to be available early on to

reinforce information provided during public awareness-raising sessions and can also serve as a

reference for them later on.

“Mapping stakeholders in the early phase of mainstreaming disability in DRM”

Often, persons with disabilities have been overlooked by their communities for years, and caregivers’and communities’ intervention mindsets are still about specialized services, for example physical

rehabilitation. . To help communities understand how easily disability can be mainstreamed in DRM

initiatives, a stakeholder mapping including the definition of their roles should be conducted with the

community with a strong focus on awareness-raising and capacity-building on the rights of and roles

persons with disabilities can play in DRM interventions.

“Equally highlight issues on disability rights and empowerment of persons with

disabilities”.

Awareness-raising and capacity-building need to focus equally on disability rights and on

empowerment of persons with disabilities. Focusing specifically on only one point might lead to

concurrent understanding on the perception of persons with disabilities. With a focus only on rights,

persons with disabilities can still be perceived as dependent people instead of empowered

individuals. The goal is to change perceptions from a charity approach to a rights-based approach,




31

therefore also contributing to levelled expectations of material or financial support to persons with

disabilities.

“Reinforce existing referral system for persons with disabilities’ access to services and

disseminate the information to community”

Develop disability-inclusive DRM within the community requires a holistic approach in order to

encourage persons with disabilities to actively participate in the DRM activities. It means that the

inclusion of persons with disabilities and their access to services also have to be taken into

consideration. Therefore, it is important to identify existing service providers and referral

mechanisms that can be used for persons with disabilities.

“Development of peer support groups”

Persons with disabilities and their family members often risk being isolated, with little emotional and

social support. The development of peer support groups will serve as a means to reinforce

’empowerment and participation in the community level. Persons with disabilities and their family

will have more opportunities to gain knowledge on disability and share their experiences, either as

someone with impairment or as a caretaker. Peer support groups can also serve as an initial forum to

advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities.

Good Practice

Participation as the first step towards involvement

The project has led to a number of persons with disabilities taking an active role in their

communities, getting to this point started with simply inviting and encouraging them to participate in

the activities in the community. Their initial participation led to their own realizations of how they

could contribute to the community, and also led to the communities recognizing their own unique

capabilities. In the end, for many of them, simple attendance to activities has led to longer-term,

deeper involvement in their communities. Finding local solutions leads to inclusion

Mainstreaming disability into DRM does not have to be complicated nor expensive.

After the awareness-raising and capacity-building activities, the target barangays wanted to find

ways to make their early warning systems inclusive. They found that simple colored flags were

effective as visual signals for persons with hearing impairments who could not hear the audio signals.

Through using flags made from cheap, local fabrics and bamboo poles available in their communities,

their early warning systems now reach everyone in the community.

Prepared evacuation plan of families with persons with disabilities

Gaining knowledge from the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Trainings, persons

with disabilities and their families developed simple evacuation plans in case of disaster. For

example, the parents of child with disability in Barangay Pagsangahan make sure that their child havesufficient knowledge of what to do and are informed well about the early warning of the coming

disaster. They also involve the neighborhood by informing them of their evacuation plan.

Challenges

On a general level, the participation of persons with disabilities in DRM activities is still limited due

to mobility and self-confidence issues. Various barriers are still present and hinder persons with

disabilities’ participation.

IEC material on advocacy and preparedness and assistance during emergencies for persons with

disabilities were only produced towards the end of the project, which reduced the impact of the

message delivered during the different awareness raising events.




32

The culture of dole-out and reliance on financial support had an important impact on the project

as the community still expected tangible outputs (distribution of assistive devices and/or direct

assistance) from the project. Families of persons with disabilities expected material outputs in

return for their participation in the project. This greatly affected the motivation of persons with

disabilities in attending the project activities.

Political dynamics in the barangay had impact in the project as this influenced the selection of

members for the DRR committees and the BDRRMC.

While all of the target communities added visual signals to their early warning systems (EWS) to

make them more inclusive, systems still pose issues for other types of impairment. In particular,

systems that can reach those with severe mobility impairments or multiple impairments still need

to be improved. For these cases, the communities still rely heavily on face-to-face communication,

which may not always be possible according to the disaster situation.

3.2 DRM practitioners

The work conducted with DRM practitioners is characterized by trainings to include disability in theiractivities, technical support for their community-based activities as well advocacy on inclusion of

disability and support to make their tools and policies inclusive.

The intervention implied two parallel processes of change for those practitioners: they experienced

changes in their organizations’ practice concerning the inclusion of disability, while at the same time

they promoted change within communities’ practices related to disability inclusive DRM.

This section highlights two important aspects in the work with practitioners, the stakes related to

partnership between Handicap International and these organizations (working together in

mainstreaming disability into DRM) and the stakes related to field implementation of the project

(working closer to communities).

3.2.1 DRM practitioners in Indonesia

A pool of external trainers

To mainstream disability in DRM initiatives, Handicap International in Indonesia established

partnership with two NGOs: YEU, which has expertise in disaster risk management (3 trainers) and

CIQAL, a DPO that has expertise in disability issue (6 trainers). The combination of both organizations

made possible the constitution of a pool of trainers who provided capacity building (training) in

inclusive DRM.

The pool of trainers conducted capacity building for partners involved in developing disability-

inclusive DRM initiative through training and technical guidance. Handicap International

implemented a Training of Trainer to allow these organizations to take-up their new roles.

Case study

DPO and NGO, a good combination for Disability Inclusive DRM

Partnership with YEU and CIQAL, both based in Yogyakarta, started with a 2 weeks (2-14 August

2010) Training of Trainers (TOT) on disability mainstreaming in disaster risk reductions. Following the

training, the master trainer facilitating the TOT, Robert Sulistyo, regularly monitored and coached the

partners through evaluation and reflection on training from August to September 2010. The trainers

(9 trainers) later joined a refresher training on practical aspects of disability mainstreaming in

disaster risk reductions, conducted in October 2010, and a facilitation skills training in December

2010.

Initiating their mission, the 9 trainers were sent to build partners capacity across NTT Province.Considering the distinctive skills of the two institutions, trainer teams consisting of 3 people, 2




33

trainers from CIQAL and 1 trainer from YEU, were set. The composition of the team was decided to

foster complementarities when conducting training and increase trainers' confidence.

Trainings facilitated by these 9 trainers were attended by 133 persons from 9 structures involved in

DRM. These were volunteers from TAGANA (Voluntary Disaster Corps) at provincial level and Timor

Tengah Selatan district level, staffs from both local and international partners (CARE International

Indonesia, Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), World Vision International, OISCA/BSK, CIS Timor and FIRD)

and staffs from government agencies (Dinas Sosial and BPPD).

Later on, 3 of these organizations, CARE, CIS TIMOR and OISCA, entered a technical guidance process

in which Handicap International field facilitators and the pool of trainers supported their field

activities to include persons with disabilities through regular field support visits and workshops.

During training and guidance process to partners, regular coordination meetings were conducted

among the pool of trainers and facilitators. Guidance was provided by the master trainer. This was

important since trainers from these two institutions and facilitators had different background and

experience. Therefore, consolidation of approaches, material, tools was required regularly.

Through this combination of trainers’ skills, trainees’ knowledge on disability issues and how to

implement disability-inclusive DRM increased. For disability issues, partners getting additional

practical experiences from CIQAL as some trainers from this institutions are persons with disabilities.This was particularly powerful in changing partner’s mindset, as well as strengthening motiv ation of

persons with disabilities in communities when the trainer visited and met them.

Handicap International in collaboration with Arbeiter Samariter Bund (ASB) Yogyakarta also

facilitated bimonthly meetings among the trainer involved with the two institutions. In this meeting,

Handicap International partners-CIQAL and YEU, and ASB partners were reflecting and sharing their

experiences on mainstreaming disability in DRM. Partners shared their experiences and skills on

related issue.

Currently CIQAL and YEU have been providing assistance for almost one year. One of the challenges

faced in this partnership is distance between CIQAL, YEU (which are based in Yogyakarta) and

partners based in NTT. This has limited discussion between trainers and partners teams. It is clear

that, if available, it would be more relevant to empower local institutions in building their capacity indisability mainstreaming in DRM.

Following the intervention, it is now important to disseminate information about this existing pool of

trainers so that actors/stakeholders involved in DRM and disability field are aware of it and can refer

to these organizations.

Intervention logic

The activities of the pool of trainers were conducted through 6 steps:

Initial capacity-building (TOT) on disability and DRM.

Training on facilitation skills.

Refresher training to work on further adaptation and contextualization of partners tools and

plans based on trainees needs.

Training of 9 DRM partner organizations and authorities by the pool of trainers. Trainees were

volunteers from 2 Voluntary Disaster Corps (TAGANA) on Provincial and district level, staff

from 5 local and international NGOs , and staff of 2 local government bodies.

Field technical support regarding the inclusion of disability in DRM initiatives for 3 partners.

Technical assistance and consultation were provided to partners to address challenge and

gaps during implementation.

Sharing experience meetings with trainers involved in a similar process of including disability

within ASB (Arbeiter Samariter Bund) DRM project. These meetings provided opportunity to

build trainers capacity and reflect on their activities by discussing issues, gaps, challenge, andgood practices.




34

Changes

The first notable change was that the capacity of the two organizations staffs involved in the "pool of

trainers" increased regarding disability, DRM, and the link between these two topics. They develop

in-depth skills on how to mainstream disability issues within DRM initiatives. Change in partners’thinking paradigm influenced both organization internal practices and supported the inclusion of one

or the other topic in their mandate and activities. As the pool of trainers was a combination of

partners who have complementary expertise, either in DRM or disability, working together allowed

them to learn from each other’s expertise and foster new practices in their respective organization.

Both developed a specific expertise on disability-inclusive DRM and the process of mainstreaming

disability that can be usefully re-invested in other projects, by these organizations themselves or for

others.

Lessons learned

“ Combination of DRM and disability actors in the pool of trainers” The combination of trainers skilled in disabilities and DRM issues proved to be a strong success

factor. The composition was found effective in organizing training in mainstreaming disabilities in

DRM, particularly with the presence of persons with disabilities among trainers. Both sides have

expertise to share and created direct, tangible learning opportunity for trainees. In addition, DPO

members gave insight and support to other persons with disabilities on the possibility to contribute

actively in a project during their activities in communities.

“Coordination before conducting the training”

There were regular coordination meeting among trainers under the supervision of Handicap

International. This ensured relevant preparation before conducting training to partners. This is

particularly important as the trainers are from two organizations with different background, so there

must be a discussion on how to combine tools, method, and facilitation in the training plan. Thisactivity was also a chance to do team building, work sharing, and learning from each other.

“Training on facilitation skills”

After conducting the first TOT to partners and monitoring to partner’s work in communities, the pool

of trainers expressed the need to attend training on facilitation skills including simulation exercises.

This contributed to build their facilitation skills further, prepare together and fine-tune their common

language and approaches for future trainings.

“Provide additional time allocation to practice training”

One important element to build the capacities of pool of trainers and their self-confidence was to

practice and rehearse training. Following facilitation skills training, additional practice in conducting

training, finding what to improve in delivery training and adjusting with the material would be a great

help for the trainers to gain more self-confidence. “Training Need Assessment as crucial part of the training”

A Training Need Assessment was sent to partners and had to be returned to Handicap International

before the training was conducted. Unfortunately the feedbacks were limited and sometimes long to

come. Paying particular attention in raising partners’ awareness and following -up their feedbacks is

crucial to understand partners’ needs in including disability in DRM and prepare the proper training.

A dedicated session with partners could help them filling the assessment document and give

comprehensive feedback.

“Build strong coordination mechanism between Pool of trainers, Handicap International,

and partners to ensure effective implementation”

Roles of each party have to be clear from the initial phase of the implementation of the project.

Strong coordination mechanisms are required to help each party play their role effectively. Handicap




35

International must pay attention and coordinate with the pool of trainers to conduct accompaniment

or coaching to partners, to ensure coherent sharing of information and support activities.

“Empower local DPOs in order to provide trainings on disabilities in DRM”

The pool of trainers was available upon request as the organization was not based in the

implementing areas. For sustainability purpose, a local DPO could be progressively empowered to

train and support stakeholders on inclusion of disability. This would provide greater opportunity to

build the capacity of stakeholders on inclusion of disability in DRM locally and reduce time and cost

limitations. Contextual /cultural knowledge and possibility of continuous accompaniment provided

by the local pool of trainers would also benefit from this intervention.

“Disseminate information on the existence of a pool of trainers to have a wider audience”

The existence of a pool of trainers needs to be widely disseminated to other stakeholders beyond the

project. This would help building wider networking in mainstreaming disability into DRM and support

awareness-raising in promoting rights of persons with disabilities.

Good Practices

Development of complementary skills

The combination of skills from organizations with disability and DRM backgrounds is effective in the

set-up of a mainstreaming intervention, particularly with the presence of persons with disabilities

among trainers.

Create inclusive media

The pool of trainers proved innovative in implementing training .It adapted and adjusted the content

of the training to make sure it would be accessible by persons with disabilities. The media can further

inspire partners in considering accessibility in their own activities and trainings.

Challenges

The distance between trainers and supported organizations can prove to be an issue for effective

communication. The consultation process between partners and trainers was only conducted during

the training and monitoring. It was thought insufficient as the implementation was continuously

taking place in the field. Proximity and availability are key factors to consider in such support process

which aims at changing mindsets and practices in an organization.

Training of DRM practitioners

Case study

WORKING WHILE CHANGING

Training given by Handicap International has been regarded as useful for partners since it increased

their knowledge and changed their perspective on persons with disabilities. “This training is

changing my vision of disability, and it definitely will influence my personal behavior in the future”

said Josua Simanulang, CARE Project Manager.

For OISCA and CIS Timor, introduction to disability issues enriched their knowledge, especially

regarding the consideration of persons with disabilities as a vulnerable group often neglected in DRM

project. According to Absalom Tanonob, OISCA Program Coordinator, the introduction to disability

issues made them aware about persons with disabilities’ presence in the community.

CIS Timor team, after attending the training on ‘disability mainstreaming in DRM initiatives’

conducted by Handicap International, shared they gained valuable knowledge during the training and

mentioned it helped strengthen their attitude and stance in mainstreaming disability issues within

their activities. “Inclusion of disability issue will become compulsory for CIS Timor activities. CIS Timor




36

is grateful for the opportunity provided through this mainstreaming process,” said Wendy Bullan, CIS

Timor Advocacy Coordinator.

Following the training, Handicap International also provided technical assistance for problems faced

in project implementation, such as developing a disability inclusive Standard Operational Procedure

(SOP), Community Action Plan and Contingency Plan for CARE, formulating disability inclusive base

line tools or designing inclusive wells for CIS Timor, and providing training on inclusive first aid for

OISCA. “We build some wells and design them to be inclusive so that they are accessible to all,

including for persons with disabilities; and become a symbol for inclusion. These inclusive wells

will remind all about the rights of persons with disabilities,” Wendy Bullan” (Advocacy Coordinator,

CIS Timor)

The collaboration process between Handicap International and CIS Timor brought various interesting

development in implementing partners’ projects. For example, CIS Timor worked on a water supply

project related to disaster risk reduction for droughts. In addition, the project worked on

strengthening food security through agricultural and economic development programs. These three

activities are considered as ‘community livelihood based disaster risk reduction’. CIS Timor is

committed to mainstream disability into planning and implementation process of all these actions.

“All vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, are now part of the planning and

implementation process of activities; to make sure that these activities are accessible to all” said

Wendy Bullan. To implement this process, persons with disabilities are not only invited to planning

meetings, but they also involved and assigned with important roles in working groups – such as

‘Committee for Water’ - and one is even chairman for ‘Farmers Group’. Parents of children with

disabilities are also engaged to be members of ‘household economy development group’. The

inclusion of disability into activities is also taking place through adjustment of documents and

procedures used in community activities. Finally, the most spectacular change is maybe the

accessible wells, a symbol of inclusion and concern to persons with disabilities’ rights.

“As much as possible we engage persons with disabilities so that they are motivated to

demonstrate their abilities. This is useful for them, and proves to others that they can participate

usefully” Absalom Tanono (Program coordinator OISCA)OISCA also experienced positive changes in implementing their project. Besides engaging persons

with disabilities in their activities, they also succeeded in promoting change in policy. Aware that

persons with disabilities must be involved in disaster risk reduction activities in a sustainable manner,

the organization supported the development of a disability inclusive village DRM regulation. This

change increased the self-confidence of persons with disabilities, and awareness that they have the

same rights as everybody else. In the community, acceptance of persons with disabilities also

increased. They are now seen as persons with capacities, able to contribute to community life.

Intervention Logic

In Indonesia, Handicap International, together with the pool of 9 trainers described in the previous

section, supported 7 DRM practitioners to include disability in their activities. Of the 7 that were

initially trained, 3 practitioners agreed, beyond the training, to enter a field technical guidance

process. These practitioners were local and international NGOs CARE, CIS TIMOR and OISCA (Mitra

Bina Swadaya). Each organization received training and technical support on including disability in

DRM, according to the needs identified in their own DRM projects.

An MOU was signed with each organization to define the support to be provided and responsibilities

of the parties. It is important to note that Handicap International in Indonesia did not provide

financial support to partners. The partnership was purely based on capacity-building.

Handicap International, though the pool of 9 trainers and its own team of 4 facilitators supported

these 3 organizations in the form of:

Initial training on mainstreaming disability into DRM. The training was given in sessions of 3

to 5 days according to the needs expressed and covered issues such as disability inclusive




37

PVCA, disability inclusive SRE, disability inclusive shelter management, disability inclusive

EWS, and disability inclusive livelihood.

Refresher training based on requests of partners and additional consultation focusing on

participation of persons with disability and inclusion of disability in partners tools. The

trainings last 1 to 2 days according to the requests of each organization.

Technical assistance in including disability in their intervention in 11 villages, plans and

policies. This is implemented through field visits and workshops implemented by facilitators

on a weekly basis and by trainers from CIQAL and YEU once every two months.

Changes

The program has brought changes in seven DRM practitioners through awareness about the rights of

persons with disabilities, their situation in case of disasters as well as increased knowledge about

how to include persons with disabilities in their DRM actions.

More specifically, the program has brought changes in the organizational practice of three DRM

practitioners (CARE, OISCA and CIS Timor) through the field implementation of their current projects.Finally, notable changes were reflected in these three par tners’ tools and plans following their work

with Handicap International. Adoption of disability issues within assessment tools and considering

disability as one of their cross cutting issues are examples of organizations' new practice. Policies

gradually became more inclusive and will impact future projects implementation.

Lessons learned

A. Working together on mainstreaming disability into DRM

"Defining roles together with institutional partners"

At the initial stage of the project implementation, interests of each partner organization have beendiscussed at managerial level and a strategy defined for the support provided by Handicap

International. A MOU was agreed upon and signed to provide a framework for the partnership and

define the roles and responsibilities of each party.

"Close coordination between project teams"

The ongoing support process implemented by Handicap International and the pool of trainers

implied to maintain close coordination with field teams of CARE, OISCA and CIS Timor in Kupang and

Soe. This close relationship between teams facilitated the organization of regular technical guidance

and monitoring activities of the mainstreaming process, and fosters open exchange of practices that

reinforce the efficiency of the inclusion of disability. This was only possible thanks to the common

trust and in-depth understanding of each other's role and activities.

"Strengthen partners’ common understanding regarding the project" The process of defining roles among partners at managerial level has to be followed by building

common perception and understanding in their field teams. Risks of misinterpretation in the

implementation of the project related to insufficient understanding on the field level were identified

by Handicap International facilitators and their counterparts in CARE through their coordination

meetings and informal exchanges of information. Activities specifically dedicated to promote

synergies between partners and Handicap International at field level could be usefully planned to

prevent such risks.

"Strengthen coordination between partners involving field and managerial levels"

Field technical guidance and exchanges of practices were crucial to ensure how disability was

included into CARE DRM tools in a sustainable manner. Activities in the field were very dynamic;

adjustments were sometimes needed in short notice to fine-tune activities or documents to be usedin these activities. This worked well between field teams but took more time to be reflected at




38

management level. Regular coordination attended by both managerial and field staff on both sides

would serve the opportunity to tackle issues based on organization policy and the actual needs from

the field.

"Strengthen internal consolidation in the process of technical support to partners"

Coordination and sharing of experience between the pool of trainers and Handicap International

team is key to anticipate challenges related to coordination with partners in implementing the

program. This would support optimal use and management of internal (facilitators) and external

(pool of trainers) resources in the process of accompaniment.

"In depth understanding of partners’ policy, mandate, and activities"

The capacity building and support process needs to be tailored to each partner's context. Each have a

different mandate, strategy and processes that greatly affect the implementation of DRM activities,

their grasp on disability but also the internal communication and decision-making. All these aspects

influence greatly the partner's abilities to mainstream disability. They also influence the sustainability

of this inclusion process. It is important to understand these stakes in the beginning of the

implementation of the project in order to adjust accordingly.

“Ensure agreement and respect on a work plan for field technical guidance “

The accompaniment, coaching and monitoring by the pool of trainers and Handicap International has

to follow the work plan written and provided by partners. Therefore, it is important to ensure that

the work plan is clearly scheduled and agreed together. It facilitates the process of collaboration in

implementing the project.

B. Working closer to communities:

"Encourage progressively the participation of persons with

disabilities"

One of the first signs of inclusion of persons with disabilities in DRM is

the participation of persons with disabilities in the planning,

implementation, and monitoring of DRM activities in the

communities. However this level of participation needs to be

increased gradually, so that persons with disabilities build their

confidence, develop their understanding and knowledge, and finally

take opportunities to contribute in the decision making process

within community structures.

Steps for a disability inclusive contingency plan

Sensitization session on the importance of involving persons with disabilities into CBDRM, their

rights and etiquette in interacting with them.

Encourage participation of persons with disabilities by involving them as members of village DRR

Forum and other relevant structures

Involve persons with disabilities in risk mapping and PVCA : Identify theirs needs and capacities,

map their houses and relevant infrastructures, include visit to persons with disabilities families in

the assessment and transect walks

Conduct capacity-building to DRR Forum: Disability is included in DRM planning topics (Inclusive

Early Warning Systems, Inclusive evacuation, Inclusive Contingency Plan, Inclusive Emergency

Standard Operating Practices, Inclusive Community Action Plan and Inclusive Mock Drills)

"Ensure persons with disabilities participation in DRM structures"

As an effort to encourage community to be more resilient to disaster as well as to ensure persons

with disabilities’ rights and needs are taken into account within the DRM activity, CIS Timor

encouraged them to be a member of community DRM groups. One of the results was the building ofaccessible wells by the community.

Profil Yustus, member of DRR

Forum in Nakfunu, Kab. TTS,

participating in the drafting of

an inclusive contingency plan




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"Integrate disability issues in the local DRR planning process"

OISCA considered that a village DRM regulation mentioning inclusion of disability would be a relevant

mechanism to ensure sustainability of their inclusive DRM effort. On their proposition, the initiative

had been included in the local DRM planning by the DRM forum, village administrator, and

stakeholder in the village of Noebesa, in TTS district. Following consecutive validation steps, the

regulation is now acknowledged by the authority at the districts and provincial levels.

Inclusive Local DRM Regulation Development

1. Identifying and building communication with

motivated persons with disabilities and key

persons in the village was the initial step in

integrating disability issue in the DRM local

planning.

2. Key message of inclusion was disseminated

through awareness sessions. As a

consequence, DRR forum acknowledged a

person with disability as a member:

3. DRR forum socialized the need of having

inclusive DRM local regulation to village

administrator and related stakeholder in the

village.

4. As a follow up, discussion on the inclusive

local regulation were conducted with the

involvement of village administrator, DRM Forum, and stakeholders. Representatives of persons

with disabilities were invited to join the discussion on the draft.

5. The socialization of the draft of inclusive DRM Local regulation was conducted through public

consultation. The socialization involved village administrator, sub district authority, local/district

legislative (DPRD) and stakeholders in the village.

"Promote dedicated persons with disabilities as a role model to encourage active

participation of persons with disabilities"

To change negative perceptions about persons with disabilities within the community and also to

encourage other persons with disabilities to be more self-confident in participating in DRM activity,

motivated and empowered persons with disabilities living were supported to become role models or

“champions” through actions such as the "Potable Water provision group" or the PRB Forum of the

village, to show others that persons with disabilities also have capacities to contribute effectively to

community life.

" Persons with disabilities baseline data"

Steps for participation in “Potable Water provision group”

Persons with disabilities were invited and participated in the community planning to define the

water points.

CAP (community action plan): In the plan, wells are designed to be inclusive & accessible. In a

participative way, the community selected the members of Water group.

Establishment of working groups: persons with disabilities were involved as member of Water

group.

Inclusive Local DRM regulation, involve person with

disability in Noebesa, Kab. TTS.




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Though some data on persons with disabilities was available, it was not complete and accurate

enough. Therefore it was necessary to conduct identification and profiling of persons with disabilities

to have accurate data on their conditions and capabilities. Mainstreaming disability into DRM

requires baseline data to develop inclusive DRM policy and regulation. This data was then

disseminated to partner NGOs and local authorities in order to serve usefully for later initiatives and

projects. However, the identification and support of persons with disabilities is a thorough, time

consuming, process. It is instrumental in the capacity of the teams to later implement accurate

empowerment activities but needs to be anticipated correctly to ensure smooth and timely

implementation together with partners at project inception.

"Broaden the scope of awareness raising session to community"

Awareness raising in the project was focused on stakeholders with some level of involvement in

DRM. It would have been good to broaden the scope of this activity to community as a whole in a

comprehensive effort to change the negative perception about persons with disabilities in

community, and therefore facilitate their inclusion in the whole community.

"Support persons with disabilities empowerment through self-help groups"

Strengthening the participation of persons with disabilities in community life and local governance,

including DRM processes, can be done through support to the development of self help group in

village level. Through this group, persons with disabilities and their families have the opportunity to

share information, develop peer support and organize their action related to their rights, including in

the field of DRM.

Good Practices

Partner organizations have observed the interest of the mainstreaming process and re-invested the

changes they experienced through the project into their organizational practices and tools. For

example, CIS Timor has modified their field assessment tool to make it disability inclusive .The tool,

used to provide baseline data for the organization projects, now includes persons with disabilities as

a specific group. In a similar approach, CARE has included specific measures for persons with

disabilities in its Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) for emergency situations.

Challenges

Even though the inclusion of persons with disabilities in DRM is not as such a complex process, it was

identified that more information is needed for partners regarding specific, technical topics. As an

example, some of them were interested in retro-fitting public facilities through other projects and

requested information regarding accessibility standard. This can be addressed via adequate guidance

and information sharing. It needs to be anticipated through partnerships that are not necessarily

constrained by the current project timeline.Another challenge faced by partners is their limited resources and experience to conduct

empowerment of persons with disabilities, either individually or collectively. The absence of DPO

contributes to this challenge as persons with disabilities are often isolated in the community and

eventually face discrimination, all factors which prevent them to get involved in community

activities.

Finally, village landscape (mountainous or rocky) can be another challenge that makes it difficult for

persons with disabilities to actively attend the meetings and other community activities. This needs

to be anticipated carefully at assessment stage to avoid proposing irrelevant activities, and requires

relying heavily on community support and solidarity to develop relevant and sustainable support to

participation.




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3.2.1 DRM practitioners in the Philippines

Case study 1: Direct partnershipsHandicap International and ACF Partnership

The contract agreement for the project was signed by both parties in July 2010, with a first

partnership meeting conducted in August 2010. In order to strengthen partnership and ensure

effectiveness and efficiency for both the implementing organizations, a partnership capacity

assessment was done to focus on meeting capacity needs and drawing out expectations. The results

were used to further strategize and enhance project implementation and management. Major

activities were done by both of the partners;

Institutionalization of quarterly project meeting through the Information and Consultation

Committee (ICC). -The meeting primarily aimed to create a venue where the different parties

can exchange information and ideas to facilitate the monitoring, evaluation and the

implementation of the project including administrative-finance issues.

Global planning for both of the partners. - The global planning was conducted on a monthly

basis where both partners share their activities. This was also an opportunity for both of the

organizations to strategize, maximize resources and coordinate with each other in

implementing the activities on time while ensuring the quality of the process and outputs.

Weekly meeting and updating from the field staff to the project management. -This primarily

aimed to ensure a smooth implementation of the project.

The collaboration between ACF and Handicap International was presented to an ACF regionalworkshop with participants from ACF Asian offices. It demonstrated how ACF was able to

mainstream disability into DRM, thanks to this specific partnership. Several countries, including

Bangladesh, Nepal and India expressed their interest on learning about disability mainstreaming in

DRM. The partnership between Handicap International and ACF also contributed to the revision of

ACF DRM implementation model to ensure that persons with disabilities are clearly identified in the

vulnerable groups. To date, ACF has mainstreamed disability through inclusive training modules,

participation of persons with disabilities in their DRM implementation and integrating disability data

in their monitoring tools. Both Handicap International and ACF had impact on each other’s day-to-

day activities and practices in the field especially on disability issues in the community level.

Case study 2: Indirect partnerships

RED CROSS NATIONAL SOCIETIES

The German Red Cross (GRC) in consortium with the Spanish Red Cross and their key partner, the

Philippine Red Cross (the only non-governmental organization accredited by the government to

respond to disasters up to now) implement the “Integrated Community Disaster Preparedness

program’’ (ICDPP) project in four provinces (Palawan, Antique, Camarines Sur and Norte) supported

by DIPECHO. The project aims to strengthen disaster action teams, DRM in schools, community

mobilization, disaster coordinating councils and the Philippines Red Cross Chapters.

In November 2010, Handicap International conducted trainings of three days on mainstreamingdisability in DRM. The first training targeted project managers of DIPECHO partners including




42

Philippines Red Cross staff and the second, field practitioners with a more practical approach. As a

result, the Philippines Red Cross (PRC) changed their perception of disability and included disability in

their DRM activities. They also requested more support for it.

Persons with disabilities, being part of the vulnerable group, were supported by the PRC in relief

assistance. But disability as a holistic and cross cutting issue was not integrated in their programs and

was considered to be too difficult to include in DRM activities. The training provided a venue to raise

their awareness and explore the possibility of including persons with disabilities in disaster plans.

Further to it, another training on mainstreaming disability in DRM was conducted for PRC staff, PRC

and GRC partners and stakeholders including the Barangay Disaster Action Team (BDAT), members of

the Provincial and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices, Department of Social

Welfare and Development Officer, Special Education (SPED) Teachers and volunteers and staff of Red

Cross Palawan and Antique Chapters. Meanwhile, two municipalities in Camarines Sur, San Fernando

and Garchitorena, have included persons with disabilities in their HVCA mapping for the evacuation

protocols.

Parallel to these key milestones, another major achievement in terms of sustainability and

widespread reach is the production of IEC materials on DRM including disability. The materials

produced by the GRC for the Philippines Red Cross includes a training manual for PRC staff andvolunteers, a training manual for school-based disaster management, flipcharts for volunteers and

teachers, workbooks for primary and intermediate-level students and a game for children in school.

All these IEC materials produced will be the standard IEC materials in DRM to be used by all the Red

Cross national societies working in the Philippines including the International Federation of the Red

Cross, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Spanish Red Cross, the German Red Cross,

Netherlands Red Cross and the Japanese Red Cross.

ASCEND: Christian Aid /Social Action Center (SAC)

The municipality of Jomalig is under a project called ASCEND - Advancing Safer Communities and

Environment against Disasters, implemented by Christian Aid and the Social Action Center of theprelature of Infanta (SAC – Infanta), in the province of Quezon and funded by DIPECHO.

Staff of the ASCEND project benefited from the trainings on mainstreaming disability into DRM, and

subsequently transferred their newly acquired knowledge to the rest of their teams. This transfer of

knowledge is evidenced by how disability has been integrated to their community-based DRM

activities.

Accessible evacuation center Inclusive community hazards maps




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From January 2011, SAC - Infanta earnestly began including disability issues in their DRM programs.

This comprised integrating disability into their training modules on PCVA, highlighting disability and

the Accessibility Law.

In April 2011, an evacuation and multi-purpose center was built taking in consideration accessibility

requirements for persons with disabilities. A ramp was built in the main entrance, as well as

accessible toilets, and handrails are in the process of being added to the structure.

Focus was given to persons with disabilities in the conduct of data collecting activities in April 2011.

Enumerators identified persons with disabilities as well as lactating mothers and older persons in the

survey and mapping. For this particular activity, ASCEND’s community coordinator sought the

assistance of the Municipal Social Welfare Officer and the Barangay Health Worker. As a result of the

above activity, the community’s hazard map for the five barangays of Jomalig has clearly identified

the families with persons with disabilities, older persons and lactating mothers.

Specifically in the contingency plans of Barangay Casuguran and Gango, priority was given on persons

with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in all kinds of emergency response.

To further allow them to mainstream disability, Christian Aid/SAC felt the need to have an organized

group of persons with disabilities to enable them to fully and actively participate in their community.

They found that while there is data on persons with disabilities, their needs have not been

considered for funding and for other government projects. Christian Aid/SAC therefore also

encouraged the development of DPOs at the barangay level.

To strengthen inclusion in their current and future projects, Christian Aid/SAC hopes that Handicap

International can visit and evaluate their activities, to provide them with feedback on what was done

well and what can be improved, giving them more confidence to continue implementing disability-

inclusive DRM initiatives.

Intervention Logic

Outside of activities conducted at the community-level with ACF, Handicap International in the

Philippines worked with a number of DRM actors to raise awareness on disability in DRM and

improve their capacity to implement DRM activities that were disability-inclusive. This was done

through a number of training sessions targeted at decision-makers, managers and field teams of

other NGOs with DRM activities including DIPECHO partners, and civil society organizations.

Organizations benefiting from this training included: Christian Aid/Social Action Center and the

ASCEND project, Save the Children, Philippine National Red Cross, Coalition of Services for the

Elderly, Coastal Core, Marinduque Council for Environmental Conservation, German Red Cross,

Spanish Red Cross, International Organization for Migration, International Committee of the Red

Cross, Oxfam, GIZ, Liliane Foundation, Assistance and Cooperation for Community Resilience and

Development Inc. (Accord Inc.), Christian Blind Mission, Community and Family ServicesInternational.

After the training, Handicap International continued to provide ad hoc support to the organizations

implementing disability-inclusive DRM. Follow-ups were also made to the various organizations to

find out how the concepts discussed during the trainings were being applied.

Changes

Through increasing their awareness and capacities to include disability, several partners have

changed their approaches to DRM. The case studies above show how disability has been integrated

by partners as a cross-cutting issue in DRM.

At the start of the project, partners expressed doubts and reluctance regarding inclusion of disability,thinking that it would be complicated or would need specialized skills. However, through the training,




44

the possibilities of how persons with disabilities could be better included in their activities were

opened up. The case studies above show the various ways that organizations adapted their existing

activities such as HCVAs, hazard mapping and contingency planning to take disability into account.

The example of Christian Aid further shows how the concepts about disability were extended and

applied for other groups such as older persons and women.

More than just changing their current projects, the disability mainstreaming messages imparted

during the training are having a wider reach. For instance, the inclusive training manuals and

modules designed by the Red Cross National Societies ensure mainstreaming is replicated in their

other projects. For ACF, their programs outside of the Philippines and outside of DRR have become

more aware and interested in mainstreaming disability in their various activities.

Lessons learned

A. Working together on the mainstreaming

“Capacity Building: support a nationwide organization accredited by the government” Building a partnership with an organization with nationwide coverage and governmental

accreditation, such as the Philippine National Red Corss, opens opportunities for a wider impact on

disability mainstreaming. The German and Spanish Red Cross, through the Philippines National Red

Cross have spread their disability-inclusive training modules and IEC materials nationally, being used

by schools and their local partners in implementing DRM activities.

“Partnership as an avenue to develop new strategies in mainstreaming disability into DRM

within organizations with different expertise”

ACF and Handicap International recognize their own important role in project implementation.

Working through the organizations’ differences, expertise and priorities through regular meetings

and consultations has become an opportunity to develop new strategies in mainstreaming disability

in DRM. Through the sharing of skills and expertise by both organizations, a new learning opportunity

was created. The partnership between ACF and Handicap International increased the level of

confidence among ACF staff to be inclusive in their DRM programming, while HI staff gained

confidence regarding DRM.

“Awareness and knowledge as the first step towards inclusion”

Handicap International provided training to partners but with different levels of support and

involvement. While ACF benefited from daily technical support in all its activities, most partners

worked independently after the training to mainstream disability in DRM within their organization

and their project implementation. Despite not receiving daily technical support from Handicap

International, their efforts at mainstreaming show that an increase in awareness and knowledge can

already be an important step towards inclusion.

‘’Targeting both the managers and field practitioners in the training is an effectiveapproach in mainstreaming DRM’’

The training on mainstreaming disability into DRM targeted both the partners’ managers and field

teams. The training for field practitioners gave more emphasize on the practical implementation of

inclusive DRM, while the training for managers was intended to change organization policy to be

more inclusive. Targeting two different levels in the organizations resulted in an organization-wide

increase in understanding of how to include disability in DRM. This contributed to the development

of holistic approaches in mainstreaming disability in DRM.

‘’Adaptation of training and modules based on trainees’ needs’’

Training content was continuously improved through consultation with stakeholders. Additional time

was allocated to specific topics based on stakeholders’ recommendations, such as a llotting more

time to deal with the practicalities of disability mainstreaming for field practitioners and to policy

development and decision-making for organizations managers.




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“Institutionalizing the training on DRM is necessary to ensure the sustainability of DRM”

Exploring the possibility of having an external pool of trainers and conducting a training of trainers

will ensure that information is passed on to a greater number of participants. Issues regarding the

lack of available trainers or the sustainability of an internal training team can be addressed by this as

TOT will also support the sustainability of local resource input in building stakeholder capacity in

mainstreaming disability into DRM. Handicap International staff as trainers will not stay in the same

project forever, therefore TOT for local DPOs or NGOs can contribute to the sustainability of input

availability.

“Institutionalization of partnership”

The links between Handicap International and other DRM actors need to be institutionalized and

formalized to ensure better collaboration on including disability in DRM. Having formalized

partnership can improve the commitment of other DRM actors and quality results. An

institutionalized partnership can also help systematize the technical guidance provided by Handicap

International, ensuring that information and support is available to those who need it. In addition,

this can also open up opportunities for the sharing of knowledge and experience.

“Strengthen the quality of partnerships through team building”

One of the challenges in collaborative work is to adjust strategies in implementing the program of

organizations that have different mandates, such as Handicap International and ACF. To reach a

common understanding, team building exercise can be one strategy to develop a supportive

environment in partnership.

“Systemize coordination and monitoring of partners mainstreaming effort”

A clear coordination and support mechanism between Handicap International and its partners needs

to be established as a means to support mainstreaming efforts. It is important to create a system

that will allow partners to send and receive feedback and coordinate in a regular and constant

manner. Not only can this ensure that mainstreaming support is made available when needed, such a

mechanism can also serve as a constant reminder to partners after the training to continue thinking

about and mainstreaming disability.

B. Working closer to communities

‘’Using legal frameworks to push communities to mainstream disability in DRM and

development’’

Despite the presence of elaborate legal frameworks pertaining to disability, these remain often

unknown by most communities and community leaders. In addition to showing them their legal

responsibility to include persons with disabilities, introducing these laws to the communities can also

show them how the law provides them means to do so.

For example, to address concerns regarding the lack of resources to mainstream disability,

communities and policy-makers should be briefed on the General Provisions of the General

Appropriations Act which states that ”the plans, programs and projects intended to address the

concerns of senior citizens and differently-abled persons shall be integrated in the regular activities

of the agencies which shall be at least one percent (1%) of the respective budgets.” To support the

need for accessible structures for evacuation, the implementation of the accessibility law (B.P. 344)

can be reminded.

‘’Encourage the creation of self -help groups’’

One of the means for persons with disabilities to receive support from the government is to be part

of a DPO. A DPO that is officially recognized and registered can submit projects and apply for funding

at the municipal level. A possible step that can facilitate the formation of a DPO would be the

development of self-help groups or peer support groups in the communities. Through these groups,

more information can be passed on to persons with disabilities and their families on their rights and

specific needs. These groups also promote exchanges for a population that is often isolated. They

could also act as a forum to build knowledge on inclusive DRM and advocate for their rights.




46

“Encouraging resiliency through integrating socio-economic activities and DRM”

Addressing the socio-economic needs of persons with disabilities and the community in general can

not only motivate them to participate and be involved in DRM activities, but can also increase their

resiliency during disasters. For example, livelihoods and security of livelihoods directly affect a

household’s vulnerability and capacity to cope with disasters; and a lack of livelihoods can also mean

that a household does not see DRM as a priority. In the same vein, the lack of a necessary assistive

device can increase the vulnerability of persons with disabilities during a disaster and can also

hamper their ability to participate in DRM activities in the community. The provision of one can

therefore address both these issues, decreasing their vulnerability and enabling participation in DRM

activities.

In addition to supporting DRM, it is important to map existing service providers in the community, be

it government offices or other NGOs. A process of referral for persons with disabilities and the

community can be identified and reinforced (if already existing), or put in place to address their basic

and specific needs, thereby addressing sources of vulnerability and affording them the opportunity to

appreciate and participate in DRM.

Good Practices

“Information and knowledge sharing with other partners’ networks”

The fact that ACF network found the Philippines experience to be compelling and manifested interest

in learning how to mainstream disability in DRM demonstrates the impact this type of partnership

can have. National and international organizations have been trained on mainstreaming disability in

DRM and are now applying mainstreaming to their projects across the country. Other organizations

have also expressed interest to mainstream disability in their project as a result of information

sharing and awareness-raising conducted by the project.

“Inclusive monitoring tools”

Inclusive internal monitoring tools were developed for the project by different organizations. This is arelevant innovation from usual practices as it has started to be applied to other projects of those

organizations.

“Inclusive training modules and IEC materials”

Before the partnership with Handicap International, the training module ACF used in DRM

implementation focused only on vulnerable groups but did not identify persons with disabilities

specifically. To date, ACF has mainstreamed disability in their module and persons with disabilities

are prioritized in their DRM implementation in all its project sites. The project had similar impacts on

other organizations, with the development of inclusive workbooks for children and training modules

for partners.

“ Inclusive DRM facility”

Partner organizations and local governments have been integrating the issue of physical accessibilityfor evacuation centers and inclusive early warning systems in their activities, and have gained a good

understanding of this issue. They have been promoting the development of accessible facilities and

systems in order to ensure equal access for all.

Challenges

In terms of direct partnerships, the different approaches of Handicap International and ACF to

project implementation posed a challenge at the beginning of the project. Strategies to overcome

this had to be developed at the initial phase of the project, through team activities and regular

coordination that emphasized that the two organizations were implementing one common project

and encouraged an exchange of capacities.




47

For indirect partnerships, the main challenge was trying to motivate other actors to include disability

despite the lack of a formal partnership agreement. Different organizations have different priorities

and approaches, on which Handicap International cannot impose. However, in spite of this challenge

the case studies show some examples of how partners still chose to include disability in their DRM

activities.

Another challenge to indirect partnerships was the lack of formal systems for coordination, which

may have diminished the impact of the training on actual field activities of the partners.

3.3 Policy makers

The work with policy-makers is targeting sustainable inclusion of persons with disabilities in DRM,

through mainstreaming the issue in governments' strategies, policies, plans and tools.

This implies sustained advocacy efforts, involvement in the DRM for both at national and local level

and the availability of field inclusive CBDRM activities that support and demonstrate the advocacy

messages put forward at governmental level. Activities such as mock-drills and lessons-learned

workshops represent key occasions to demonstrate the validity of disability inclusive approaches

through tangible examples and presentation of good practices.

3.3.1 Policy makers in Indonesia

In Indonesia, Handicap International built partnership at provincial level with government

stakeholders involved in disability inclusive DRM, Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and Social

Welfare Department (Dinsos). BPBD ensures the implementation of the DRM policy and regulation

defined by its national level (BNPB) and coordinates the action of other stakeholders involved in

DRM. The Social Welfare Department, under its Unit for Social Assistance for Natural Disaster,

supervises Voluntary Disaster Corps (TAGANA) dedicated to disaster management. It also has the

task to define, supervise and implement social rehabilitation programs for Persons with Disabilities.

Case study

DISABILITY MAINSTREAMING IN DRR NEEDS TO BE CONTINUED

One of the partners from the government sector in the project is East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Social

Welfare Department (DinSos NTT). This partnership has been built since the arrival of Handicap

International in NTT, in 2009. DinSos mission is to improve community resilience, empower potential

sources of social welfare, and develop social welfare services, including social rehabilitation programs

for persons with disabilities. DinSos is also involved in DRM issues through the coordination of

TAGANA, volunteer groups involved in quick responses and supports during Search, Rescue and

Evacuation (SRE) activities in disasters. Due to DinSos mandate in both disability and DRM fields,

Handicap International built a partnership with Dinsos NTT to develop cooperation through severalactivities such as awareness-raising and capacity building.

Public awareness-raising for the inclusion of disability in DRM initiatives was implemented through

dissemination of information material to the general public and DRM stakeholders during events

supervised by Dinsos and BPBD such as International DDR Day and International Day of Persons with

Disabilities. TAGANA, volunteer groups were trained during 3 days on the disaster response for

persons with disabilities and vulnerable people (elderly, pregnant women, children) and

consequently involved in Handicap International activities in the field, particularly the mock-drills.

Beyond the coordination of activities with Handicap International in its efforts toward general public

and TAGANA, DinSos representatives also benefited from the project through participation in

workshops and trainings, and dissemination of documentation.

According to the Head of Persons with Disabilities Rehabilitation section from Dinsos NTT , Dra.Eufracia Da Silva Barros, the collaboration between Handicap International and DinSos created




48

strong foundation for raising public awareness regarding the importance of engaging persons with

disabilities in DRM activities. “It is extraordinary, though it is not yet optimum, since Handicap

International is just recently working in NTT. On the disaster side, many things have been done by

Handicap International which also cover activities that are not yet implemented by the government,

such as training and simulation for disability inclusive search, rescue and evacuation. Before, Dinsos

NTT was only focusing on mothers and children. Our collaboration with Handicap International has

built the capacity of Dinsos NTT, specifically for TAGANA, in performing comprehensive disability

inclusive disaster relief. Certainly, changes occurred in knowledge and behavior for DRM that

includes disabilities”, said Barros.

Eva Barros also stated that the training manual provided by Handicap International has been useful

for supporting disaster and rehabilitation sections of Dinsos. “The government does not have

modules like Handicap International’s training module. It is very good. So far, we have used and

adapted some materials in the meetings and campaigns on DRM, and when providing outreach

services to persons with disabilities through Mobile Social Service Unit (UPSK) and Loka Bina Karya

(LBK). It just needs some adaptation, so that it can be more practical, and provide additional

examples relevant to DinSos action in NTT”, explained Barros.

In terms of raising public awareness, Barros stated that “When reading the media published by

Handicap International, we become aware that it is important to engage and take persons with

disabilities into account in DRM efforts. Moreover, the content is written using accessibility

principles, so that it can be utilized by persons with disabilities. Campaign for raising public

awareness should be expanded as most districts in NTT still have no NGOs that regularly engage with

persons with disabilities. In TTS, it is only implemented after getting assistance from Handicap

International and partners (OISCA/BSK and CARE). “People need information. So far as I can see,

community response has been very positive. Moreover, by using simple language they can get the

message easily”, she said.

Eva Barros is confident that collaboration with Handicap International contributes to build Dinsos’

staff capacities in performing their duties. She also hopes that disability-inclusive DRM will be

sustained and improved. “Inclusion is not yet comprehended at all community levels and by most ofNTT societies. Awareness is only being conducted for communities in Timor Island . Flores Island is a

disaster prone area that has not received assistance. Therefore, we are ready to back-up Handicap

International in this effort”, explained Barros. Still, Barros acknowledges that staff turnover both

among sections and across institutions is a challenge and highly influencing the sustainability of

disability mainstreaming.

However she acknowledged that several positive changes have occurred through Handicap

International action in DRM, such as: the availability of additional reference related to disability

mainstreaming in DRM (training manual) and improved knowledge on inclusive DRM. After following

training on disability mainstreaming for DRM efforts, it is now required from DinSos staff to share the

information to other staffs in their section and at district/municipality level, for engaging persons

with disabilities in community activities whenever possible.

Intervention Logic

In the implementation of the project, collaboration with government bodies ensured the coherence

of the action with the existing DRM frameworks and allowed advocacy for disability mainstreaming

within this framework in order to foster sustainable inclusive DRM.

Collaboration was implemented through:

Involvement of representatives of BPBD and DinSos in the review process of the

"Mainstreaming disability into DRM" training manual to the Indonesian context

Organization of 3 days training sessions for TAGANA (Voluntary Disaster Corps) volunteers in

Kupang and TTS districts




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Involvement of Handicap International in awareness raising events supervised by Dinsos and

BPBD such as International DDR Day and International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Regular participation of Handicap International in the provincial DRR forum coordinated by

BPBD

Capacity-building of representatives of these government bodies through attendance of

workshops and trainings organized by Handicap International such as the socialization of the

"Mainstreaming disability into DRM" training manual or mock-drills in villages

Changes

The regular collaboration between Handicap International, BPBD and DinSos as well as the

understanding of these government bodies regarding the link between disasters and disability and

the stakes of inclusion of persons with disabilities in DRM has clearly improved. This has fostered a

supportive change of attitude from government representatives directly involved in the project and

laid ground for further action that would support institutional change towards the inclusion of

disability in the province’s DRM strategies.

Lessons learned

"Use community based organization to advocate for inclusive DRM within local regulations

and plans"

Tagana (Taruna Siaga Bencana), community volunteer groups were trained by Handicap International

in 2 districts on the inclusion of persons with disabilities and vulnerable people in disaster response.

Tagana mostly provides specific service during emergency response at community level. However,

organization practice have already widened and Tagana now contribute to the “Desa Siaga Bencana”

(Disaster Resilient Village) prevention initiative in which inclusion of disability was adopted as one of

the issues in order to build disaster resilient community. Tagana, as a community-based organizationacknowledged by the provincial authorities, is a relevant vector to promote sustainability of disability

inclusion in DRM with community decision-makers such as head of villages or traditional leaders.

"Get involved in coordination and joint activities for advocacy"

The celebration of International DRR Day and International Day of Persons with Disabilities were part

of the awareness raising activities within the project. These activities were hold under the

coordination of BPBD and Dinas Sosial at provincial level. Moreover, Handicap participated actively to

the provincial DRR Forum held under the coordination of BPBD. Through the close cooperation and

forum offered by these activities, Handicap International could advocate for the inclusion of disability

in DRM with these authorities. They consequently supported the action of Handicap International

and accepted to disseminate information on this topic within their structures and to other

government agencies within their networks. "Government decision-makers as champions of the inclusion message"

Identification of dedicated key figure within relevant government bodies can be used as a strategy to

spread the message of disability inclusive DRM to other government stakeholders. Thanks to the

support of Dinas Sosial, the Mobile Social Service Unit (UPSK) started using Handicap International

training module to conduct socialization of inclusive to DRM at districts level.

“Widening the scope of advocacy to legislators and budget holders in regions”

The advocacy activities implemented in NTT have already involved some key focal points from

sectoral government structures. Still, this action needs to be strengthened by involving strategic focal

points involved in legislation, budget and planning in the regions such as local chief legislative, local

chief executive, and local chief planning board. Targeting these policy makers in addition to sectoral

bodies will open more opportunity to mainstream disability into DRM through regional regulations,development planning and budgets.




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"Involve government more actively in the capacity building process"

Drafting relevant disability inclusive policy and regulation requires from government stakeholders to

develop thorough capacities on disability and DRM. Involving a wider audience within authorities in

the capacity-building component of the project would allow for a broader understanding of local

authorities regarding the mainstreaming of disability into DRM and support this legal change. This

could be done by involving in the capacity-building process technical staff from planning board,

health and other sectoral authorities that support regional government in legislation development.

“Support the adaptation of IEC material to be used by local authorities“

The IEC materials produced by Handicap International

were later used by Dinas Sosial to conduct awareness-

raising on mainstreaming disability in DRM to other

stakeholders in the province, both in other departments of

Dinas Social and in communities.

These tools would benefit to be more contextual in order

to have a maximum impact for every specific target group.Handicap International could support this adaptation

through its internal IEC staff.

“Engage Bappeda (Regional Development Planning Board) in the mainstreaming process”

The regional development planning board has a key role in identifying development priorities for the

province. Specifically targeting Bappeda in advocacy and capacity-building and link the development

planning process with BPBD and DinSos plans could open opportunity for interesting synergies that

could benefit in the longer term to the inclusion of disability in DRM programming.

Good Practices

“Disseminating information through UPSK (Mobile social Service unit) and disaster resilient village

(Desa Siaga Bencana) programs”

Dinas Sosial started disseminating information on inclusive DRM in communities through its different

programs and units. The UPSK units visit communities regularly in collaboration with health

department, conducting assessments on persons with disabilities and support activities. It is a

powerful vector of information and monitoring in the communities. Dinas Sosial disseminated

material provided by Handicap International through socialization activities. Under the action of

TAGANA, Dinas Sosial also contributed to the national program of Disaster resilient villages (Desa

Siaga Bencana). It intends to improve the program to ensure the inclusion of persons with

disabilities. These actions could be continued and strengthened in future interventions to up-scale

the impact of the current intervention and contribute to its sustainability.

Challenges

One of the major challenges faced by the project in its action with the government bodies is the staff

turnover. The issue of staff turnover is particularly detrimental as it is affecting particularly

managerial and decision-making levels of the hierarchy. Key figures in government agencies who

have been supporting Handicap International action through advocacy and coordination can often be

transferred under short notice to another position in the institution. This requires repeating regularly

capacity building efforts and could only be solved if awareness on inclusion of disability is

internalized by government bodies in their own induction and capacity-building processes.

Another challenge was staff limited initial capacity on the inclusion of disability in DRM. Willingness

to learn about the new issue was usually high; however, it needs to be supported with consistent




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capacity-building efforts. As an example, BPBD is a recently created government body. Despite being

mandated to develop policy and regulation, the knowledge of its staff regarding the specific needs of

vulnerable groups in case of disasters, and particularly persons with disabilities, is limited. Therefore,

advocacy for change in regulations and plans towards the decision-makers needs to be supported

with adequate training and technical support on disability and how to mainstream it in DRM towards

relevant staff.

3.3.2 Policy makers in Philippines

In the Philippines, Handicap International, in collaboration with ACF, built partnerships at the

provincial and municipal levels primarily through the DRRMO and DRRMC. Beside these

partnerships, Handicap International also collaborated with the Provincial and Municipal Social

Welfare and Development Offices, and the Municipal Health Offices.

Case study 1: Intervention at the municipal-level

IT CAN BE DONE. BUT I CANNOT DO IT ALONE.MHO-Caramoran

Dr. Fay Tanael is the Municipal Health Officer (MHO) of Caramoran, one of the two project

municipalities covered by the project. Her office is in-charge of

implementing health programs such as tuberculosis control,

maternal and child care and immunization in the municipal

level. She also sits as member of the Municipal Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) and is

particularly responsible in monitoring health, medical and

water and sanitation situations in times of disasters.

With the need for baseline data for the formulation of plans

and policies for persons with disabilities especially in the field of DRM, Handicap Internationalapproached the Municipal Health Office and the Social Welfare and Development Office to ask for

data on persons with disabilities, since those are the agencies in charge of their registration.

However, no registry existed. It was for this reason that Handicap International urged Dr.Tanael and

the Municipal Social Welfare Officer to identify and profile persons with disabilities in the

municipality, especially in the four barangays where Handicap International and ACF are working

Admittedly, Dr.Tanael had a totally different perspective on disability prior to Handicap

International’s intervention. Sharing her experience with persons with disabilities in the health

center, she says: “I look at them based on their complaints and not as persons with disabilities .I look

at them as a medical case. “ Handicap International’s arrival was an eye opener, according to

Dr.Tanael. “It is only through the awareness given by Handicap International that I learned that they

should be treated as human beings and not only as patients.”

Dr.Tanael, together with her Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) set out to identify and certify the

Persons with Disabilities in the four barangays. “ To look for these people, I visited them personally to

certify their disability. I was touched. I saw that they really need help.” As soon as she started her

house to house visits, she was getting questions such as: “Can we ask for wheelchairs? Medicines?

No, no. This is not about that. This is about including you in disaster risk reduction plans, how we can

help you. That’s what they cannot understand.” Aside from this, she also faced communication

problems particularly with persons with speech, hearing and intellectual impairments. Logistics

issues also cropped up during her barangay visits, with no reliable service vehicle, she would ride a

motorcycle to get to the barangay. After two months, her hard work paid off. In February, she

presented Handicap International with a list of persons with disabilities. Caramoran now has

identified and certified 94 persons with disabilities in the four target barangays.

Armed with her new disability perspective and the data from the four barangays, Dr.Tanael started

advocating for persons with disabilities inclusion in the local DRRM office, urging the DRRMO officer,




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to consider persons with disabilities needs and concerns during evacuation . At the moment,

purchase of wheelchairs, stretchers and blankets is now being processed by the LGU. Accessibility is

also being considered in the construction of an evacuation center in the town proper. The DDRM

Officer has requested assistance from Handicap International with regards to standard

measurements of ramps, hand rails, latrines, door width and other accessibility features. They also

plan to devote an area specifically for persons with disabilities in the ground floor. Meanwhile,

Dr.Tanael has also ensured that the new health center being constructed would have ramps and

handrails.

Despite these “small victories”, Dr.Tanael feels that for them to be able to really compel the

legislative and executive bodies to formulate disaster risk reduction plans including persons with

disabilities, data should be representative of the 27 barangays. Profiling only four barangays is not

enough. Citing political issues within Caramoran LGU as one negative factor , she also counts

Handicap International’s limited scope and time as the project’s weaknesses together with the

project’s mandate to not focus on the provision of medical services, assistive devices and livelihood

opportunities. She credits Handicap International for raising the awareness on disability as well as for

its persistence and support in profiling persons with disabilities. She believes that once all persons

with disabilities are identified, a system can be devised so that their vulnerabilities to disasters canbe reduced. With 23 more barangays to profile, Dr.Tanael now plans to tap the services of the

barangay volunteers in identifying persons with disabilities. “ Nothing is impossible. It can be done

but we need help. I just cannot do it alone.”

Case Study 2: Intervention at the provincial level

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO)

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) is ACF and Handicap

International’s partner in the implementation of the Mainstreaming Disability into Disaster Risk

Management Initiatives project in the province. The PDRRMO conducts activities such as orientation

of local officials on the new DRRM law, establishing coordination mechanisms with municipal andbarangay disaster councils, and re-organization of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management Council (PDRRMC), guided by the DRRM law. The PDRRMO also contributes to the

training for the media and private sector by co-facilitating and supporting the organization of said

trainings. In all these, PDRRMO have mainstreamed disability issues.

Handicap International came when the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Law

implementation was beginning. The organization’s timely arrival in the province was considered by

the PDRRMO as a positive factor, as the new law reiterated the creation of disaster councils at all

levels and also stipulated the protection of safety of vulnerable groups including persons with

disabilities.

The PDRRMO counts Handicap International’s efforts in raising the awareness on disability as the

greatest strength of the project. “It is big thing for us be cause the Provincial Social WelfareDevelopment Office (PSWDO) is passive,” said PDRRM Officer Nieva Santelices, describing the social

welfare office’s focus on providing assistance to persons with disabilities but not really empowering

them. Handicap International’s persistence in ensuring inclusion and mainstreaming was also seen as

having a positive impact. PDRRMO staff Bobby Monterola said: “With Handicap International coming,

we were given a lot of knowledge how to handle them and how they can be integrated in disaster

plans especially in the prevention phase”. The PDRRMO staff said that Handicap International’s

awareness-raising efforts made them realize that persons with disabilities are not a problem but are

untapped opportunities essential in the conduct of DRM programs.

The office conducted a Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Training (BDRRMT) in

Barangay Bagatabao in the municipality of Bagamanoc. The training was facilitated by PDRRMO

staffer Jorge Sarmiento who shared that persons with disabilities were taken in consideration in the

drafting of the barangay’s contingency plan, an activity that was part of the training.




53

Funding and lack of information on DRRM of policymakers were cited as the challenges of the

project. The PDRRMO has submitted to the Provincial Board a comprehensive plan of DRM projects

ranging from the conduct trainings, construction of mitigation infrastructure to climate change

adaptation activities. The PDRRMO chief however said that due to lack of knowledge on the new law,

only a few of their plans were approved. Without the board’s approval, the PDRRMO will have a

problem sourcing for funds to finance its projects and activities.

The PDRRMO plans to conduct BDRRM trainings in all the barangays of Catanduanes. Through these

trainings, they aim to ensure that every barangay have ample knowledge in disaster risk reduction. In

these trainings, focus on persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups will be highlighted.

Currently, the training syllabus where persons with disabilities, mothers, children and the elderly will

integrated are being prepared. Aside from that, accessibility will also be considered in the proposed

operation center of the office.

Intervention LogicHandicap International’s collaboration with policy-makers in the target areas is done through ACF’s

existing partnerships at the provincial and municipal levels. Mainstreaming disability into DRM at thepolicy-maker level is therefore done within the framework of ACF’s DRM activities. This includes

capacity-building and awareness raising activities conducted with provincial and municipal offices

such as the DRRMT and disaster preparedness planning.

In addition to the provincial and municipal DRRM and DRRMC, Handicap International also worked

with other government offices at the provincial and municipal level such as those directly responsible

for disability issues. These offices include the Social Welfare and Development Offices and the Health

offices. Over and above DRM activities, Handicap International also collaborated with these offices

for the identification of persons with disabilities in the target areas and for linking persons with

disabilities with service providers for their basic and specific needs.

Changes

Through their involvement in the project, government offices experienced changes in their approach

to disability and to the inclusion of persons with disabilities. The Municipal Health Office went from

looking at disability as only a medical issue to understanding it as a human right issue, while

becoming conscious of the importance of mainstreaming disability in all its initiatives.

Another notable change was at the PDRRMO level where a disability-inclusive contingency plan was

drafted. Government agencies started to be more aware of the needs for accessibility which enable

persons with disabilities to have more opportunity to participate and exercise their rights as any

other citizen. The provincial government of Catanduanes has approved the trainings on DRM in all

the barangays of the province and plan to make it disability-inclusive. They aim to ensure that every

barangay have ample DRM knowledge. In these trainings, aside from persons with disabilities, othervulnerable groups will also be highlighted.

Lessons learned

“Close advocacy with key figures within the government to promote disability-inclusive

policy and access”

Through a raised awareness on disability and DRM, the PDRRMO of Catanduanes and the MDRRMO

of Caramoran try to ensure that persons with disabilities are accounted for in all their activities. As

both offices are still at their early stages it facilitates the introduction of disability issues into their

plans and strategies, and both offices have requested Handicap International’s assistance to ensure

the accessibility of shelters and other structures. They are also working on taking into account




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persons with disabilities needs and concerns during evacuation. At the moment, purchase of

wheelchairs, stretchers and blankets is being processed by the LGU.

“Motivate government staff to spread widely the advocacy message on mainstreaming

disability into DRM to other government bodies”

Identifying dedicated government officials for the mainstreaming of disability into DRM facilitates

conducting advocacy at the level of policymakers. Having such motivated individuals can help the

process of including persons with disabilities in local DRM and development plans. For example,

Handicap International tapped motivated government staff for the identification of persons with

disabilities in the target areas. These individuals readily volunteered their time for this activity.

Effective awareness-raising activities helped in motivating individuals to be involved. If coupled with

adequate capacity-building on mainstreaming disability, these dedicated individuals can play an

important role in supporting mainstreaming disability in DRM.

“Encourage local authorities to start working on mainstreaming disability in DRM by

collecting baseline data on persons with disabilities”

Having accurate and up-to-date data on persons with disabilities is the first step towards disability-

inclusive DRM. These same can be said for development in general.

To effectively push for change, having quantitative data plays a significant role in convincing decision-

makers. Baseline data on persons with disabilities will be the input for any political decision on

development planning, including DRM planning. Being counted also makes persons with disabilities

more visible, opening up opportunities for them to be taken into account and participate in their

community. Handicap International, together with the Municipal Health Offices, has already started

the process of identifying and assessing persons with disabilities. However, this initiative has to be

extended to other areas in the province in order to have reliable data for developing inclusive DRM

and inclusive development.

“Raising awareness and Capacity building for all government staff”

Training on mainstreaming disability has been conducted for government bodies in charge of disaster

management. However, to develop inclusive DRM policy, knowledge to commit and invest in

inclusive DRM needs to extend to other government offices and agencies.

“Capacity Building: Develop capacities and skills of existing DPO”

If DPO do not exist yet, it can be relevant to encourage persons with disabilities to work on forming a

group or association, to facilitate advocating for their rights and needs. The government needs to

work through these organizations as they represent persons with disabilities and can voice their

needs as well as disseminate information.

Good Practices

PDRRMO has developed comprehensive disability-inclusive DRM plans. They applied for

budget allocation for the inclusive DRR plan but this is still in discussions at the governmentallevel. However, this is a good start to accommodate inclusive DRR policy.

PDRMMO will conduct disability-inclusive BDRRM training to all the barangays in

Catanduanes. They will use the opportunity to include inclusive DRR in the training.

Challenges

Disability is still widely considered a separate and specialised issue. Mindsets about persons with

disabilities are often still focused is assisting them, fulfilling their immediate needs and not on

empowering them and ensuring inclusive initiatives for equal rights and opportunities. Government

faces a lack of knowledge on both disability and DRM. Though they have willingness to spread widely

inclusive DRR through their regular activities, this lack of knowledge limits their confidence to do so.




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Changes in leadership and staff is also another challenge faced by the government, as dedicated staff

can be moved to other division in short notice. This situation influences the pace of including

disability in DRM, as well as DRM development in general, as the presence of knowledge and skills is

unpredictable. The local government of Catanduanes does not consider disability-inclusive DRM as a

priority, meaning that budget allocation to support DRM plans is still under discussion and needs

further advocacy to become part of development planning.

SECTION IV: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

Despite the different approaches applied by the project in Indonesia and Philippines, common key

points have appeared through the different levels of implementation (community, practitioners and

decision-makers) and the analysis of cross-cutting issues (awareness-raising, capacity-building of

stakeholders and empowerment of persons with disabilities) for the inclusion of disability in DRM.

Foremost, as other services to society, Disaster Risks Management can be considered from the point

of view of the community considered as users, the authorities considered as regulation body, or the

DRM practitioners considered as service providers. In order to ensure access to this service by all,

including persons with disabilities, it is important that actions be taken with regards to each of these

stakeholders. This comprehensive approach to DRM provides the opportunity to consider and

prioritize actions in order to foster the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities.

When it comes to activities supporting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in DRM, it is

important to consider two complementary axis: promoting an inclusive system for persons with

disabilities to find answers to their basic and specific needs through ordinary/mainstream, support

and specialised services, and ensuring empowerment of persons with disabilities through capacity

building, support, or other. This twin-track approach to DRM, adapted for disability inclusive

development from the DFID original model, provides complementary components for the full access

of persons with disabilities to DRM, and re-emphasizes the need to focus not only on individuals but

also to work on a system that would be inclusive of all.

Active participation of persons with disabilities in the projects and plans is an important aspect to

consider in the inclusion process. Persons with disabilities know better than any other person about

their capacities and vulnerability in case of disasters, and can bring highly valuable inputs when it

comes to tackling situations of vulnerability. Therefore, it is important to take into account in

programming, implementation and monitoring and evaluation, the participation of persons with

disabilities and their families. This participation can take place in community-level activities such as

VCA, design of contingency planning or early warning systems. This participation needs to be

considered as a gradual process. Indeed, someone who has been systematically excluded from social

activities will need additional support to enter group activities and be able to interact efficiently with

local authorities or DRR practitioners. The support and participation of family members is often a key

facilitator in that regard.

The access to reliable data regarding persons with disabilities is a considerable added value. DRM

projects are frequently implemented in rural or remote areas, in countries where more than often

census are implemented with limited focus on disability. Therefore it is important, in order to be able

later on to support the inclusion of persons with disabilities in DRM plans, to identify precisely the

number of persons with disabilities in the implementation area, their geographic situation, as well as

other key elements to understand their basic and specific needs (age, gender, impairments, literacy

and education levels, etc.)




56

Moreover, in order to be able later on to support in a relevant manner the active inclusion and

participation of persons with disabilities in DRM plans and actions, it is important to assess in a

participative manner the specific needs and expectations of persons with disabilities in health,

social, economic and education fields. Doing so provides the opportunity to understand and address

the priorities of these persons, and facilitate later on, through direct provision or referral, access to

the necessary support activities (rehabilitation services, transportation, social services, etc.) These

will in turn allow and support individual participation in your DRR actions.

Beyond the participation of individuals in community-level activities, persons with disabilities can

also have relevant inputs in capacity-building for DRM practitioners or in advocacy activities towards

decision-makers. In such activities, more than often they can be usefully represented by Disabled

Persons Organizations. These organizations voice the concerns and expectations of persons with

disabilities and organize their action. They can be more or less structured according to the

experience and skills of their members but generally represent a relevant stakeholder to involve with

institutions or authorities in decision-making processes.

Sustainability of actions and plans is another major concern when it comes to Disaster RisksReduction. To ensure safety of communities in the long term, certain considerations need to be

addressed carefully.

First of all, whenever possible, inclusive DRR actions should involve existing processes, resources

and structures rather than try to create new ones. This would ensure that capacities and processes

put in place are acknowledged by permanent structures and bodies that can internalize them. This

applies also to the specific actions supporting the participation of persons with disabilities (support,

referral to services, etc.) Whenever possible, projects should use existing supports services rather

than trying to develop new ones in the specific timeframe of a project.

Other key aspects to consider are the legal and budget dimensions of DRM. In order to ensure thesustainability of actions and inclusion of persons with disabilities, projects should, whenever possible,

try to secure the existence of developed DRM set-ups through their inclusion in legal and budgetary

frameworks controlled by central or local authorities. In the context of the Philippines and Indonesia,

where a certain level of decentralization has already taken place, local regulations and development

budgets represent relevant entry points for the sustainability of disability-inclusive plans and actions.

When it comes to work at community level, disability and DRM represent two very different topics

requiring intensive awareness-raising. It might be difficult to start from scratch simultaneously on

these two topics. Experience through the project proved that it was easier to introduce disability-

inclusive DRM in communities that already had some level of understanding about one or the other

topic. Most of the time, communities that had already worked on CBDRM proved more eager toensure inclusion of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups than communities that were

completely new to the topic.




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SECTION V: CONCLUSION

There is no magic formula for mainstreaming disability in DRM. This is not surprising or necessarily

negative – inclusion of disability can be a slow process, bringing about a deep cultural shift from

looking at persons with disabilities as recipients of charity, to working with them as empoweredindividuals. However, the process of mainstream disability in DRM is achievable. It starts by

encouraging the inclusion of persons with disabilities in every decision making process to enable

them to have space for voicing their rights as well as their capacities and contribution to the

community. From attending community meetings, the level of participation will then be gradually

increased into influencing decision making.

To expect meaningful changes in planning and practices in a relatively short time frame is not

realistic; especially when planning at the village level is constrained by restrictions, limitations, and

regulations coming from higher levels. However, the twin track approach generates important

changes in the approaches and behaviors of the stakeholders. Community starts to include persons

with disabilities in DRM planning and provides spaces for sustainability through DRM local policy,

budget, and regulation. Community knowledge, skills, and capacities in facing disaster have had

added value in considering the needs and rights of persons with disabilities. Development partners in

DRM developed inclusive strategy and practice within their organization, included persons with

disabilities in their project implementation, developed inclusive assessment, monitoring and

evaluation tools. Policy makers mainstreamed disability in their DRM initiatives and became aware of

the importance of having baseline data on persons with disabilities as a base to develop inclusive

DRM policy.

Mainstreaming is about including disability into existing agendas, frameworks and processes, not

adding on separate disability activities. Effective mainstreaming requires strong management

commitment. It needs a clear structure, with ongoing activities and follow-up, and appropriate

budget and time allocated to it. It cannot be a ‘one-off’ activity, or left to individuals with no wider

support. Furthermore, the essential function of mainstreaming disability in DRM is the process rather

than the outcome. The planning process is an opportunity to pursue and deepen knowledge through

the sharing of experiences between people from quite disparate areas and offers an opportunity to

develop relationships and networks which can facilitate future action.

The active participation of persons with disabilities in the projects and plans is an important aspect

to inclusion. There is a need for mapping stakeholders so that they understand their role. Intensive

awareness raising and capacity building of government should be a strong focus, because the

government is the primary responsible in developing inclusive DRM policies as well as opening

opportunities of sustainability. It is essential also for persons with disabilities and their representative

organizations to play an active role in all mainstreaming activities. These organizations voice the

concerns and expectations of persons with disabilities and organize their action.

It is expected that the inclusion of disability issue will no longer be an exception but the norm in DRM

and development activities at community, regional, national and international levels. Persons with

disabilities have the fundamental rights to reach equal and full participation in the society. By taking

into consideration the specific needs of persons with disabilities in every project or activity, persons

with disabilities are able to uphold their dignity at family and community level, which take them

forward to achieve their rights; and this will automatically create impressive and sustainable changes

in the society.




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SECTION VI: GLOSSARY

Accessibility: An accessible environment allows for free and safe movement, function and access for

all, regardless of age, sex or condition. It is a space or a set of services that can be accessed by all,

without obstacles, with dignity and with as much autonomy as possible.Accessibility can be defined on two levels:

1. Accessibility of the physical environment - which includes housing and private buildings, as well as

public spaces or buildings. Particularly important is transport to enable people the right to move

around and choose their means of transport.

2. Access to information and communication - accessible media, accessible dissemination of

information and accessible message; for example, information on HIV/AIDs prevention.

Advocacy is an ongoing process aiming at change of attitudes, actions, policies and laws by

influencing people and organizations with power, systems and structures at different levels for the

betterment of people affected by the issue.

Assistive devices: The devices and equipment that assist people with disability, minimizing the

impact of the impairment, to lead a more independent life, and take an active part in the community

are called assistive devices. Example: Wheelchair, crutches, artificial limbs, hearing aid device, glasses

for extreme visual impairments, stick for visual impaired people to orientate themselves in the

environment etc.

Capacity building: The term capacity is defined as the ability of individuals and organizations to

perform functions effectively, efficiently and in a sustainable manner. Capacity building and capacity

development are often used as synonyms. Capacity development is the process by which individuals,

groups, organizations and institutions strengthen their ability to carry out their functions and achieve

desired results over time. It is a process of improving the ability of organizations and systems to

perform their assigned tasks in an effective efficient and sustainable manner.

Civil Society Organizations are all civic organizations, associations and networks which occupy the

"social space" between the family and the state who come together to advocate their common

interests through collective action. It includes volunteer and charity groups, parents and teachers

associations, senior citizens groups, sports clubs, arts and culture groups, faith-based groups,

workers clubs and trade unions, non-profit think-tanks and "issue-based" activist groups (from DFID

glossary).

Disability and persons with disabilities

A disability is any restriction or lack resulting from the interaction between a society (and the people

living in it), the person with the impairment and a given impairment. Disability is a state that may be

minimized by adapting the environment. Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term

physical (body, speech impairments), mental (resulting from a chronic mental illness), intellectual

(e.g. Down syndrome, autism) or sensory (visual, hearing) impairments which in interaction with

various barriers (see environment) may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an

equal basis with others (CRPD). Handicap International recognizes that disability has various

definitions in the social and legislative frameworks of different countries but proposes this CRPD

definition as a universal reference.

Disabled People’s Organizations (DPO): is an organization representing people with disabilities,

focused on the promotion of their rights. In the majority of cases these organizations have to be

mainly composed of and led by persons with disabilities. They can also be family based organizations,

advocating for the human rights of people with disabilities.




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Self-help groups: The formation of self-help groups has become in some countries the dominant tool

for community development and poverty reduction. ‘Self -help group’ is the generic term for a group

of people who come together for a common purpose. In many cases this is to save money through a

group savings scheme. But the most important function of a group is that it brings people together

for a common purpose, strengthens social relations, and makes the phrase ‘community

development’ a reality.



HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL

Philippines Program

12D Valero Tower, 122 ValeroSalcedo Village Makati City

Philippines

Tel: +63 (2) 812 6990or +63 (2) 519 3341

Fax: +63 (2) 892 [email protected]

HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL

Indonesia Program

Jl. Prawirotaman 3 no 669AYogyakarta 55153,

Indonesia

Tel: +62 (0) 274 376 107or (0) 274 382 262Fax: +62 (0) 274 545 [email protected]

www.handicapinternational.ph

www.handicap-international.org

In partnership with :

lessons learned mainstreaming disability into drm indonesia-philippines

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